Bauer Bros. v. Nike, Inc.

159 F. Supp. 3d 1202, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13012
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. California
DecidedFebruary 3, 2016
DocketCASE NO. 09cv500-WQH-BGS
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 159 F. Supp. 3d 1202 (Bauer Bros. v. Nike, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. California primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bauer Bros. v. Nike, Inc., 159 F. Supp. 3d 1202, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13012 (S.D. Cal. 2016).

Opinion

ORDER

HAYES, Judge:

The matters before the Court are: (1) the renewed motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 245) filed by Defendant Nike, Inc. (“Nike”); (2) the motion for summary judgment on Nike’s counterclaims (ECF No. 246) filed by Plaintiff Bauer Bros., LLC (“Bauer); and (3) the motion to voluntarily amend trademark registrations (ECF No. 247) filed by Bauer.

I. BACKGROUND

On March 12, 2009, Bauer initiated this action by filing 'a Complaint against Nike. (ECF No. 1). Bauer alleges that it is the owner of registered trademarks for “Don’t Tread on Me” and “DTOM” on apparel. Bauer alleges that Nike sold apparel bearing these trademarks without Bauer’s authorization. In the Complaint, Bauer asserts three causes of action against Nike: (1) unfair competition pursuant to the Lan-ham Act (15 U.S.C. § 1125); (2) unfair competition pursuant to California law (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 17200); and (3) common law trademark infringement.

On April 3, 2009, Nike filed an Answer and Counterclaims. (ECF No. 4). On October 8, 2010, Nike filed Amended Counterclaims seeking cancellation of the “Don’t Tread on Me” and “DTOM” trademarks pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §§ 1064 and 1119. Nike alleges that Bauer’s trademark registrations were obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) through fraud. (ECF No. 43). On September 14, 2011, Bauer filed a Motion to Voluntarily Amend Trademark Registrations, requesting that the Court issue an Order to amend the description of goods in the “Don’t Tread on Me” and “DTOM” trademark registrations. (ECF NO. 107). On October 11, 2011, Nike filed a response. (ECF No. 126).

On September 16, 2011, Nike filed a Motion for Summary Judgment. (ECF No. 109). Nike contended that “Don’t Tread On Me” and “DTOM” trademarks are invalid because Bauer cannot prove use of the trademarks in commerce prior to the trademark application filing date or prior to use of the marks by Nike. Nike contended that it was entitled to summary judgment on. its affirmative defense of fair use and that there was no likelihood of confusion among consumers. Nike requested that the Court grant summary adjudication as to Bauer’s lack of actual damages resulting from the alleged trademark infringement. On October 11, 2011, Bauer filed an opposition (ECF No. 131), including the declarations of Luke Bauer (ECF No. 132) and Darren Quinn (ECF Nos. 133-134). Bauer contended that the federal trademark registrations provide a presumption of validity that Nike fails to rebut and that sales receipts for stamps and deposition testimony regarding tax returns prove that Bauer was using the trademarks in commerce prior to Nike and pri- or to the respective application filing dates. (ECF No. 131 at 17-21). On October 19, 2011, Nike filed a reply (ECF No. 146), and objections to the declarations submitted by Bauer (ECF Nos 141, 142). On March 16, 2012, Nike filed supplemental briefing in support of its motion. (ECF No. 169). On March 23, 2012, Bauer filed a response. (ECF No. 172).

On September 16, 2011, Bauer filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on Nike’s Counterclaims (ECF No. 112) and a Motion for Summary Judgment as to Certain [1207]*1207Affirmative Defenses (ECF No. 113), including the declarations of Luke Bauer (ECF No. 114) and Darren Quinn (ECF Nos. 115-116). Bauer contended that it was entitled to summary judgment on Nike’s counterclaim for cancellation of Bauer’s trademark registrations due to fraud upon the USPTO. On October 11, 2011, Nike filed oppositions (ECF Nos. 127, 128) and objections (ECF Nos 129, 130). On October 18, 2011, Bauer filed replies. (ECF Nos. 139, 140). On March 16, 2012, Bauer filed supplemental briefing in support of its motions. (ECF Nos. 167, 168). On March 23, 2012, Nike filed a response. (ECF No. 171).

On May 24, 2012, the Court issued an Order granting Defendant Nike’s motion for summary judgment. (ECF No. 180). The Court concluded that the evidence presented by Nike rebutted the presumption of validity of Bauer’s trademarks established by federal registration. Id. at 12. The Court concluded that “[t]he evidence shows that Nike, not Bauer, was the first to use the ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ and ‘DTOM’ trademarks in commerce.” Id. The Court limited its analysis to the issue of priority of use of the trademark and did not discuss Nike’s claims for summary judgment based on fair use or likelihood of confusion. Because the Court granted Nike’s motion for summary judgment for Bauer’s first cause of action alleging unfair competition under the Lanham Act, the Court also granted Nike’s motion as to Bauer’s second cause of action alleging a violation of California Business and Professions Code § 17200 and third cause of action for common law trademark infringement. Id. at 12 (quoting Cleary v. News Corp., 30 F.3d 1255, 1262-63 (9th Cir. 1994)) (“This Circuit has consistently held that the state common law claims of unfair competition and actions pursuant to California Business and Professions Code § 17200 are ‘substantially congruent’ to claims made under the Lanham Act.).

Denying Bauer’s motion for summary judgment on Nike’s counterclaims, the Court concluded that “Nike has shown sufficient evidence to support an inference' that Bauer committed fraud on the USP-TO in obtaining federal registrations for the trademarks for “Don’t Tread On Me” and “DTOM.” Id. at 15.

The Order stated that
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Motion for Summary Judgment filed by Defendant Nike, Inc. (ECF No. 109) is GRANTED. The Motion for Summary Judgment on Nike’s Affirmative Defenses (ECF NO. 113) and the Motion to Amend Trademark Registrations (ECF No. 107) filed by Plaintiff Bauer Bros. LLC are DENIED as moot. The Motion for Summary Judgment on Nike’s Counterclaims filed by Plaintiff Bauer Bros. LLC (ECF No. 112) is DENIED.

(ECF No. 180 at 15).

On March 17, 2015, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an Order affirming in part and reversing in part the Court’s May 24, 2012 Order. (ECF No. 232). The Court of Appeals found that “the district court erred in granting summary judgment to Nike on the issue of priority of use.” Id. at 3. The Court of Appeals stated that “we reverse the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of Nike on the issue of priority of use and remand for proceedings consistent with this memorandum.” Id. at 4. The Court of Appeals further stated that “the district court is free on remand to revisit its ruling excluding evidence and the parties’ other summary judgment motions that it previously denied as moot.” Id.

On August 31, 2015, Nike filed a supplemental motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 245). Nike contends that summary judgment is warranted on the grounds not decided in the Court’s prior order — Nike’s fair use of Bauer’s regis[1208]*1208tered trademarks, no likelihood of consumer confusion, and inability to prove actual damages. On September 14, 2015, Bauer filed an opposition. (ECF No. 248). On September 21, 2015, Nike filed a reply. (ECF No. 251).

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
159 F. Supp. 3d 1202, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 13012, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bauer-bros-v-nike-inc-casd-2016.