One-sided assessment of prejudice undermines decision regarding amendment of trademark Statement of Opposition
In Anheuser Busch LLC v H.O.W. Medical Solutions Ltd., 2022 FC 842, Justice Walker set aside a decision by the Trademarks Opposition... Read More
Federal Court’s Confusion Analysis Aligns with TMOB Despite New Evidence on Appeal
Osstemimplant applied to register the trademark MAGICALIGN for use in association with orthodontic goods. Align opposed the registration, asserting that MAGICALIGN was... Read More
Federal Court clarifies test for Protective Orders with Counsel’s Eyes Only Provisions
In Del Ridge Homes Inc. v Ledgemark Homes Inc., 2022 FC 566 the Federal Court upheld Prothonotary Milczynski’s decision to dismiss Ledgemark... Read More
Everyone Gets a Slice, But No One Controls the Milano Pizzeria Trademark
The Federal Court has expunged Milano Pizza Ltd’s Canadian Trademark Registration TMA571,114 for MILANO PIZZERIA & Design: Milano Lost Control of Its... Read More
Federal Court Addresses the Hallmarks of Unregistrable, Laudatory Trademarks
Rick Spagnuolo and Joseph Syposz (the “Opponents”) opposed Re/Max’s application to register “HALLMARK” in association with real estate services. The Trademarks Opposition... Read More
The Price of Contempt
In August 2018, Justice Patillo granted summary judgment (see here) permitting recognition and enforcement in Ontario of US judgments against the defendants,... Read More
No Evidence of Use Puts Trademark Owner in Hot Water
APEC sold reverse osmosis drinking water filtration systems under the business name “APEC Water Systems” for over 20 years, making its first... Read More
Trademark Must-Haves: Clean Underwear and Supporting Evidence
Fruit of the Loom successfully appealed a decision from the Registrar of Trademarks finding no likelihood of confusion between its registered mark,... Read More
Lululemon “high quality replicas” result in a tight bind
The Federal Court reviewed first principles applicable to remedies for trademark infringement for counterfeit goods in an uncontested summary trial. The defendants... Read More
Degree of Care is a Relevant Consideration in Assessing Javelo Likelihood of Confusion
On April 20, 2020, the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed Clorox’s appeal from a decision of Justice Grammond of the Federal Court... Read More
Weighing the Options: Federal Court Confirms Standard of Review for Appeals from Decisions of Registrar of Trademarks
In Pentastar Transport Ltd. v. FCA US LLC, 2020 FC 367, the Federal Court confirmed the standard of review applicable to decisions... Read More
Joint Business Ventures do not Equate to Shared Ownership of IP
Corey Bessner Consulting Inc. (c.o.b. Core Consultants Realty) v. Core Consultants Realty Inc., 2020 FC 224 dealt with a soured business relationship... Read More
Round and Round: Ajit Trademark Litigation 10 Years In
Background Hamdard Trust and Navsun Holdings have engaged in a longstanding litigation over the use of the term “Ajit” in their trade-marks... Read More
Different Approaches for Assessing the Likelihood of Confusion of ZARA Word and Design Marks Held Unreasonable
Zara Natural Stones Inc. sought to register the design trademark in association with paving blocks, paving stones, and paving tiles. At the... Read More
Degree of Resemblance the Overriding Consideration in Confusion Analysis
Background YM registered the CABIN FEVER & Design mark in 2017 in association with various clothing items. Roots sought to strike out... Read More
The New NAFTA: Trademark and Industrial Design Changes Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
Mexico, the United States and Canada have agreed on the text of a new trade agreement, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement... Read More
Making Room For the Internet: Bricks and Mortar Business Not Required for Canadian Trademarks
In Hilton Worldwide Holding LLP v. Miller Thomson the Federal Court pushed forward what constitutes “use” of a trademark in today’s on-line... Read More
Anticipated Appeals Cannot Be United
In Cooperstock v. United Airlines, Inc., the Court of Appeal held that an appeal can be stayed or consolidated with related appeals... Read More
Federal Court Sets Aside B-side Trademark for Beau’s Beer
In Steelbird Ghetto Properties LLC v. Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company Ltd, Steelbird Ghetto Properties LLC sought an Order striking the trademark... Read More
Trademark Rights Sufficient To Support Restraint of Trade
The recent decision from the Ontario Court of Appeal in Mars Canada Inc. v. Bemco Cash & Carry upheld a settlement agreement... Read More
Some Degree Of Expected Confusion With A Weak Trademark Not Enough To Prevent Registration
On February 5, 2018, Justice LeBlanc released his Judgment and Reasons in 2018 FC 121 involving the applicant, Assurant, Inc. and the... Read More
First Use, Not Registration, Confers Exclusive Right To A Trade-mark
On November 2, 2017, Justice Roussel allowed Micro Matic’s application under section 57 of the Trade-marks Act and struck Taizhou’s trade-mark registration for... Read More
No Cookies For You! – Federal Court Confirms Jurisdiction to Issue Split Decisions in Trade-mark Oppositions
In Les Marques Metro / Metro Brands S.E.N.C. v. 1161396 Ontario Inc., 2017 FC 806, Metro appealed a Trade-marks Opposition Board decision... Read More
U-Box It Knocks Out U-Haul’s Confusing Trademark Applications
U Box It, a Canadian company providing garbage removal and waste management services, is the registered owner of the Canadian trademark U... Read More
Offer to Settle Must Stay Open To Start of Trial To Engage Double Costs
Offer to Settle Must Stay Open To Start of Trial To Engage Double Costs On May 8, 2017, the Federal Court of... Read More