Fila Sport v. Diadora America, Inc.

141 F.R.D. 74, 21 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1063, 1991 WL 315208, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20104
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Illinois
DecidedOctober 7, 1991
DocketNo. 90 C 5179
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 141 F.R.D. 74 (Fila Sport v. Diadora America, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Illinois primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Fila Sport v. Diadora America, Inc., 141 F.R.D. 74, 21 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1063, 1991 WL 315208, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20104 (N.D. Ill. 1991).

Opinion

ORDER

ALESIA, District Judge.

Plaintiff, Fila Sports, S.p.A. (“plaintiff”) brings this action for federal trademark infringement (Count I) and federal unfair competition (Count II) against defendant, Diadora America, Inc. (“defendant”). Currently before the Court is defendant’s motion to dismiss Counts I and II of plaintiff’s complaint pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) and Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In its motion, defendant also requested an award of its attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This Court referred defendant’s motion to Magistrate Judge Guzman for a Report and Recommendation. On June 19, 1991, the Magistrate Judge issued his report, recommending that defendant’s motion to dismiss Counts I and II for lack of subject matter jurisdiction be granted, and that defendant’s motion for sanctions be denied. The Magistrate Judge did not address defendant’s additional argument that Count II should be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be granted.

Plaintiff failed to file timely objections to the Magistrate Judge’s report. After reviewing the Magistrate Judge’s report and the parties’ underlying briefs, we agree with the Magistrate Judge’s conclusion that Counts I and II of plaintiff’s complaint must be dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The mere filing of an intent-to-use application under 15 U.S.C. § 1051(d) does not confer jurisdiction on the federal courts. Rather, plaintiff must allege that it has a valid federal trademark registration or allege the actual use of the marks in commerce. We agree with the Magistrate Judge that plaintiff has failed to establish registration of the marks, and the record before this Court clearly demonstrates there is no use of the marks in interstate commerce.

Accordingly, Counts I and II are dismissed for lack of subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. In light of this determination, the Court declines to address defendant’s motion pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6) with respect to Count II.

Finally, because this Court agrees with the Magistrate Judge’s well-reasoned analysis and conclusions, we adopt his Re[76]*76port and Recommendation of June 19, 1991, in its entirety. Consistent with the Magistrate Judge’s Report and Recommendation, we grant defendant’s motion to dismiss Counts I and II pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure without prejudice, and deny defendant’s motion for attorneys’ fees and costs pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This case is dismissed without prejudice.

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION

RONALD A. GUZMAN, United States Magistrate Judge.

Defendant, DIADORA AMERICA, Inc. (“Diadora”) has filed its Motion to Dismiss the complaint of FILA SPORT, S.p.A. (“Fila”) pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1) and 12(b)(6). Diadora also has requested that sanctions be imposed against Fila pursuant to Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

BACKGROUND FACTS

Fila, formerly known as “Maglificio Biellese Fratelli,” is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Italy, having its principal place of business at Viale Cesare Battisti 26, 13051 Biella, Italy.1 Fila manufactures and distributes, and selectively licenses others to manufacture and distribute, their sportswear and sporting goods, including sport shoes. These items bear the Fila “F” logo.2

Since March of 1974, Fila has sold sportswear bearing the Fila trademarks through its wholly-owned California subsidiary, Fila Sports, Inc., in the United States and elsewhere. Further, Fila has had'famous athletes promote its products and has sponsored major sports events, many of which are broadcast worldwide on television.3 As a result of these promotions and sales, Fila’s trademarks have become assets of importance to Fila and have become associated in the minds of the trade and the general public with Fila.4

In the spring of 1989, Fila conceived, designed, manufactured and patented a new athletic shoe which allows the wearer to absorb the shock produced by the impact of the foot on the ground and then transfers to the wearer a portion of the energy resulting from the shock.5 In connection with these shoes, Fila has two trademarks, “Fila 2 Actions 2A,” and “Fila Double Action.”

On November 27, 1989, Fila registered the trademark “Fila 2 Actions 2A” for footwear in Italy and a second trademark applicable to the entirety of Europe.6 On June 15, 1990, Fila filed an Intent to Use Trademark Application under the name “Fila Double Action” in the United States pursuant to 15 U.S.C. sec. 1051(b), for “footwear and t-shirts,” No. 74/069315.7

In its complaint, Fila states that on December 28, 1989, more than a month after Fila filed in Italy for trademark protection under the “2 Actions” mark, Diadora’s Italian parent corporation, Diadora-Calzatorificio Fratelli Danielli, S.p.A. (“Diadora Italy”) applied for a trade mark in Italy under the name “Double Action.” Fila has commenced litigation against Diadora in Italy challenging its application for a “Double Action” or “2 Actions.” 8

Fila states that a major international trade show was held in Chicago, Illinois beginning approximately July 30, 1990. At the Chicago trade show, Diadora maintained a booth where it displayed footwear prominently bearing the name “Double Action,” and distributed brochures promoting the sale of “Double Action” shoes. On information and belief, Diadora offered and sold at the Chicago trade show “Double Action” shoes to distributors and retailers from throughout the United States, includ[77]*77ing, without limitation, the Northern District of Illinois.

Fila further states that use of the “Double Action” trademark by Diadora is likely to cause confusion and mistake in the minds of wholesalers, retailers, and the purchasing public, and, in particular, falsely creates the impression that the goods manufactured, distributed and sold by defendants are authorized, sponsored or approved by Fila, when, in fact, they are not.9

DISCUSSION

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141 F.R.D. 74, 21 U.S.P.Q. 2d (BNA) 1063, 1991 WL 315208, 1991 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20104, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/fila-sport-v-diadora-america-inc-ilnd-1991.