Tesoros Trading Co. v. Tesoros Misticos, Inc.

10 F. Supp. 3d 701, 2014 WL 1303001, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44081
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Texas
DecidedMarch 31, 2014
DocketCivil Action No. 3;12-CV-2478-L
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 10 F. Supp. 3d 701 (Tesoros Trading Co. v. Tesoros Misticos, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Tesoros Trading Co. v. Tesoros Misticos, Inc., 10 F. Supp. 3d 701, 2014 WL 1303001, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44081 (N.D. Tex. 2014).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

SAM A. LINDSAY, District Judge.

Before the court are Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment or Alternatively, Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. 21), filed May 17, 2013; and Plaintiffs Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. 25), filed May 17, 2013. After careful consideration of the motions, responses, replies, record, and applicable law, the court denies Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment. Additionally, the court denies in part and grants in part Plaintiffs Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.

I. Procedural and Factual Background

Tesoros Trading Company (“Plaintiff’ or “TTC’) filed its complaint against Tesoros Místicos, Inc. (“Defendant” or “TMI”) on July 23, 2012, setting forth four claims: (1) trademark infringement, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1114; (2) unfair competition, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125; (3) common law trademark infringement and unfair competition; and (4) state trademark dilution and injury to business reputation. Plaintiff requests the court to: (1) issue injunctive relief against Defendant; (2) order the impounding of all alleged infringing copies of Defendant’s products that have Plaintiffs mark; (3) order general, special, actual, and statutory damages; and (4) award costs and attorney’s fees.

Plaintiff maintains a physical location in Austin, Texas, where it keeps its wholesale distribution warehouse and a retail store on South Congress Avenue. Plaintiffs products and services include “retail product offerings (specializing in folk or handmade art, jewelry, furniture, housewares and glass, floor coverings, and leather goods) as well as product selection, inventory, and distribution of products to retailers and wholesalers throughout the United States.” Pl.’s Original Compl. (“Complaint”) 1. Plaintiff has two registered trademarks in the United States Patent and Trademark Office: (1) the mark “Tesoros” in connection with wholesale and retail store services, specializing in folk art and other items from Latin America, dated October 17, 1995, and based on a first use date of August 1989; and (2) the mark “Tesoros” in connection with wholesale and retail store services, specializing in folk or handmade art, jewelry, furniture, housewares and glass, floor coverings, and leather goods, dated May 6, 1997, and based on a first use date of August 1989.

Plaintiff contends that Defendant’s advertising, services, and products make “pervasive unauthorized and infringing use” of Plaintiffs mark. Id. at 4. Plaintiff states that it became aware of Defendant’s alleged infringing use when Plaintiffs owner saw Defendant at an industry trade show. Plaintiff contends that it sent three “cease and desist letters” to Defendant on the following dates: (1) February 7, 2012; (2) April 30, 2012; and (3) May 17, 2012.

Plaintiff asserts that the mark “Tesoros” has “come to mean, and to be understood by customers, end-users and the public, to specify the products and services of Plaintiff.” Id. at 5. Plaintiff contends that the materials Defendant uses are “likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deception as to their source, origin, or authenticity.” Id. Plaintiff argues that it and-Defendant offer their products through similar channels such as trade shows and websites. Additionally, Plaintiff contends that both parties sell their products in California and Texas. Finally, Plaintiff contends that Defendant’s unlicensed and unauthorized [708]*708commercial use in commerce of Plaintiffs mark has caused dilution of the quality and value of Plaintiffs mark.

Defendant is a California corporation that serves as a “retailer and wholesale distributor of spiritual and esoteric products that include candles, oils, perfumes, incense, and spiritual/religious products.” Def.’s Mot. for Summ. J. 4. Its retail store is located in Los Angeles, California, and its wholesale distribution centers are in Hayward, California, and Dallas, Texas. Defendant contends that its customers are “spiritual, religious, and superstitious individuals who come into the store with a specific need, for example luck or healing, or' assistance finding love or a job.” Id. Defendant employs a “spiritualist” who helps customers with their needs. Defendant has one registered trademark in the United States Patent and Trademark Office: an illustration drawing that includes words, letters, and a horseshoe with a hear and four leave clover. Under the clover, there is stylized text that says, “Tesoros Misticos Cultural Heritage Candle Company.” This trademark was registered on December 13, 2011, in connection with aromatic oils, cologne, incense, incense sticks, perfumes, and candles. This registered trademark was based on a first use date of January 2009. Defendant contends that it does not engage in any advertising or exhibit at any trade shows. Defendant does, however, have a website: www.tesoros misticos.com.

Defendant denies all of Plaintiffs allegations and asserts the five following arguments: (1) TMI has been operating under its own federal registered trademark, “Tesoros Misticos Cultural Heritage Candle Company;” (2) there is no likelihood of confusion between the parties’ respective registered marks, products, physical locations, and general business model; (3) the “Tesoros” mark is generic and indistinct and therefore not subject to protection; (4) TMI is entitled to use the word “tesoros” as part of its name pursuant to fair use since it is being used to describe its product; and (5) there are no facts demonstrating a blurring or tarnishment of the “Tesoros” mark.

Defendant has filed a motion for summary judgment as to all of Plaintiffs claims, or, alternatively, partial summary judgment. Plaintiff has filed a response to Defendant’s motion, or, alternatively, a motion for partial summary judgment, seeking summary judgment on its trademark infringement claim and on Defendant’s affirmative defenses of release, waiver, estoppel, and laches.

II. Summary Judgment Standard

Summary judgment shall be granted when the record shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323-25, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Ragas v. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., 136 F.3d 455, 458 (5th Cir.1998). A dispute regarding a material fact is “genuine” if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict in favor of the nonmoving party. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). When ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the court is required to view all facts and inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and resolve all disputed facts in favor of the nonmoving party. Boudreaux v. Swift Transp. Co., Inc., 402 F.3d 536, 540 (5th Cir.2005).

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10 F. Supp. 3d 701, 2014 WL 1303001, 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 44081, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/tesoros-trading-co-v-tesoros-misticos-inc-txnd-2014.