KIM R. GIBSON, District Judge.
This matter comes before the Court upon conclusion of a bench trial held from October 20, 2014 until October 24, 2014. The parties filed their proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law on April 9, 2015. (ECF Nos. 96 and 97). The parties filed responses on May 21, 2015. (ECF Nos. 100 and 101). The matter is now ripe for disposition.
Covertech Fabricating filed a complaint against TVM Canada and TVM Products in the Middle District of Pennsylvania on May 21, 2013. (ECF No. 1). Covertech filed a stipulation of dismissal without prejudice of its claims against TVM Canada on July 8, 2013. (ECF No. 11 at 3). The parties also stipulated to transfer the remainder of the action to the Western District of Pennsylvania pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a). (ECF No. 12). The action was transferred to this judicial district on July 11, 2013. (ECF No. 13).
This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over the action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a)(2) and (c)(1) because the parties are of diverse citizenship and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, excluding interest and costs. (ECF No. 1 at 5). This Court also has subject matter jurisdiction over the claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1338(b), and 15 U.S.C. § 1121 because this action involves claims for infringement of a federally registered trademark in violation of Section 32 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114; for federal unfair competition in violation of Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a); and for dilution of a federally registered trademark in violation of § 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c). This Court also exercises supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiff's state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367 because they form part of the same "case or controversy" under Article III of the United States Constitution.
Venue is proper in this judicial district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(1) because TVM is subject to personal jurisdiction here under 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(2), and because a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claims arose in the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Pursuant to Rule 52(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the court may enter judgment following a trial without a jury. See FED. R. CIV. P. 52(a). In making a decision following a bench trial, "[t]he court must find the facts specially and state its conclusions of law separately." Id.; see also In re Frescati Shipping Co., Ltd., 718 F.3d 184, 196 (3d Cir.2013). Accordingly, the court will discuss its factual findings and then proceed to conclusions of law.
The Plaintiff in this matter is Covertech Fabricating, Inc. ("Covertech"), a Canadian corporation with its principal place of business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 40:3-4).
The President and owner of Covertech is Furio Orologio. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 211:11). Mr. Orologio has been an owner and the President of Covertech since its inception in 1990. (Id. at 211:16-18). He oversees every aspect of running the company, including the financials, banking, production and sales. (Id. at 211:19-21). Jonathan Starr is the Vice President and an owner of Covertech. He has been with Covertech since 1990 and is presently responsible for the sales and marketing aspects of the company. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 40:1). Peter Clarke works for Covertech and is responsible for sales in Canada and the northeast United States. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 4:19-22). Prior to working for Covertech, Mr. Clarke was employed by TVM as Vice President of Sales in Canada from June 2005 through
The Defendant in this matter is TVM Building Products, Inc. ("TVM"). TVM is a distributor of specialty building products including insulation and sealants and maintains its principal office in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 89:6-8).
Michael Boulding has been the President of TVM Building Products since its inception in 1998. (Id. at 7:3-8:5). In about 1998, Mr. Boulding met with Mr. Orologio to discuss the marketing of Covertech's products by TVM. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 219:11-220:19). At that time, TVM was a marketing company. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 47:19-48:2). TVM did not manufacture any insulation products. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 15:5-7).
Covertech manufactures protective packaging and reflective insulation. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 40:17-23). Covertech extrudes polyethylene film and converts it into different products. (Id.). Covertech manufactures and sells extruded film, various protective packaging products, such as bubble wrap, and various products relating to reflective insulation, which are polyethylene bubble products with foil facings laminated to them. (Id. at 40:18-41:4).
Covertech began manufacturing reflective insulation products in the mid-1990s and sells its products in the United States, Canada, and around the world. (Id. at 41:5-9). Covertech started manufacturing and selling reflective insulation in 1994 or 1995 to be used on walls, ceilings, floors, and around ductwork. (Id. at 41:10-15). Covertech began selling reflective insulation products in the United States in 1998 or 1999. (Id. at 47:12-15).
Covertech's reflective insulation product is called rFOIL. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 41:20-22). Covertech has been using the rFOIL mark in interstate commerce since about 1998. (Id. at 14:4-6). The mark has been associated with Covertech products since then. (Id. at 53:22-24). Covertech has been using the rFOIL mark continuously throughout the United States since 1998 and it uses it today. (Id. at 66:25-67:7). Covertech came up with the name rFOIL. It developed the name with a marketing company prior to working with TVM. (Id. at 62:2-4).
Covertech sells its reflective insulation products under its rFOIL brand. (Id. at 41:23-42:7). Covertech has a number of different product names that it sells under the rFOIL brand, including ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, NT RADIANT BARRIER, CONCRETE BARRIER FOIL, CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD. (Id.).
Pursuant to an application filed by Covertech on September 18, 1997, the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") added the trademark rFOIL to its principal register on April 17, 2001 as Reg. No. 2,444,633. (ECF No. 97 at 5, citing Exs. 1, 114, ¶ 1). The rFOIL trademark is incontestable pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1065. (Id., citing Exs. 1, 114, ¶ 2). After Covertech had registered the rFOIL mark, Covertech immediately told TVM about it. (Id. at 66:15-24).
Covertech has been using the CONCRETE BARRIER mark in interstate commerce since about 1998. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 53:10-24). Covertech has used the mark continuously throughout the United States since 1998 and uses it today. (Id. at 66:25-67:7). Covertech's CONCRETE BARRIER products are also referred to as CBF, which stands for CONCRETE BARRIER Foil. (Id. at 52:19-23, 53:18-20). Covertech has sold millions of dollars of its CONCRETE BARRIER product in the United States. (Id. at 74:2-4). According to Covertech's National Sales Manager, Kelly Myers, the CONCRETE BARRIER product is "huge" and one of Covertech's "marquee products." (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 147:22-148:10).
Covertech registered the trademark "CONCRETE BARRIER" with the USPTO by filing an application on June 17, 2003. (Joint Stipulation, ECF No. 79 at 1). The mark was added to the supplemental register on September 20, 2005 as Reg. No. 2,999,338. (Id.; Exs. 3, 114 ¶ 3). Pursuant to an application filed by Covertech on September 10, 2013, the USPTO added the trademark CONCRETE BARRIER to its principal register on June 3, 2014 as Reg. No. 4,542,586. (Id.; Exs. 2, 114 ¶ 4).
After Covertech had registered the CONCRETE BARRIER mark, it immediately told TVM about it. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 66:15-24). Covertech sells its CONCRETE BARRIER product using the product number 1620. (Id. at 45:3-7; Ex. 117). Since Covertech began using that number, it has always been associated with Covertech's CONCRETE BARRIER product. (Id. at 70:3-5).
Covertech has been using the CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD marks in interstate commerce since about 2003 or 2004. (Id. at 53:10-24, 83:11-13). The marks have been associated with Covertech products since then. (Id.). Covertech has been using the CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark continuously throughout the United States since then and still uses it today. (Id. at 83:23-25). The product number associated with Covertech's CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark is 4620, and the product number associated with Covertech's ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark is 4320. (Id. at 45:8-9, 46:1-7; Exs. 118, 119). Covertech has sold millions of dollars using the CONCRETE UNDERPAD marks over the years. (Id. at 86:1-3).
Covertech filed an application with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office on July 6, 2009, to register the trademark "ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER." The Canadian Intellectual Property Office registered the trademark on October 13, 2010. (Joint Stipulation, ECF No. 79 at 2). On July 8, 2010 Mr. Starr told Mr. Boulding that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office had granted Covertech the trade name ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER in Canada. (ECF No. 97, Trial Tr., at 113:17-114:8).
TVM filed an application on March 30, 2011 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") to register the trademark "ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER," which was added to the principal register on January 17, 2012 as Reg. No. 4,086,776. (Joint Stipulation, ECF No. 79 at 2). Pursuant to an application filed on the same day, TVM is also the registered owner of the trademark "ULTRA NT SCIF BARRIER," which was added to the USPTO's principal register on January 17, 2012. (Id.).
The product number associated with Covertech's NT RADIANT BARRIER mark is 4800, and the product number associated with Covertech's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark is 1800. (Id. at 74:14-19). The NT RADIANT BARRIER and ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER marks have been used continuously in the United States by Covertech since at least as early as 2003, and Covertech still uses them today. (Id. at 53:1024; 74:18-23, 107:10-111:23; Exs. 5, 6, 81). Covertech has sold hundreds of thousands of dollars of its ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER product. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., 82:16-19). Covertech's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER product is specified by the United States government for use in SCIF applications in government buildings. (Id. at 120:21-124:13; Exs. 15, 16).
Other than in connection with TVM's distribution of Covertech's products, Covertech never gave permission to TVM to use the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark in the United States. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 57:6-9, 114:22-24).
TVM developed a product numbering system to replace Covertech's existing product numbering system which was not able to handle the additional product lines. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 31:7-33:1). According to Mr. Orologio, he initiated the development of the new codes because there were errors in the orders coming to Covertech. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 226:25-228:13; ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 64:6-65:19). The product numbering system was developed at TVM's offices in Erin, Ontario over a period of a couple months by Mike Boulding and other TVM employees, including Peter Lister and Mike Tipan. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 30:16-19; 34:23-25). Mr. Orologio testified at trial that when the new codes were adopted, he did not care what the specific numbers were. He simply wanted the errors to be eliminated. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 64:6-65:19).
The first digit of the product numbering system indicated the brand, the second described the product, the third indicated the number of layers of bubbles, and the fourth digit indicated whether the product was square edge, one tab, two tabs or a quick seam. The next two numbers indicated the width and length of the product. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 33:2-34:3).
Covertech advertises its marks extensively by using the marks in its literature, brochures, technical data sheets, price sheets, and invoices. Covertech also advertises in magazines, goes to trade shows, and uses them on its website, www.rFOIL. com. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 67:8-14, 86:15-19, 68:9-14; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 138:16-139:3, 159:17-24). Covertech was and is trying to sell its products in the same market and to the same customers as TVM. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 133:25-134:5). Covertech and TVM use the same channels to market their respective products. They market online, to distributors, and to wholesalers. (Id. at 134:5-7). Covertech's rFOIL products and the products sold by TVM are used for the same functions.
Covertech has used the same part number, product descriptions and upgraded literature since 2005. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 36:2-13).
Covertech has sold "millions and millions of dollars' worth" of rFOIL branded product in the United States. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 73:23-74:1). Dan Higgins ("Higgins"), the owner of Willow Springs, S.R.A., LLC in Wittenberg, Wisconsin, testified that he was familiar with Covertech's rFOIL product line and the Covertech product numbers. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 93:11-15, 94:24-95:16). Willow Springs is a sales rep agency and distributor of hydronic heating components to the HVAC and plumbing industries. (Id. at 93:16-19). Willow Springs has purchased rFOIL that was manufactured by Covertech. (Id. at 95:12-14). Higgins testified that he believed rFOIL products were quality products and that the source of material that he bought was important to him. (Id. at 96:12-14, 103:18-19).
Covertech's customers associate the rFOIL brand with Covertech. They also associate CONCRETE BARRIER, NT RADIANT BARRIER, ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD with Covertech. (Id. at 107:2-12). Covertech's customers refer to Covertech's rFOIL products by using the product number or the marks. (Id. at 108:13-109:1).
In or about 1998, Mike Boulding and Furio Orologio met to discuss forming a relationship between TVM and Covertech. TVM and Covertech entered into an agreement that they both referred to as the exclusive distribution agreement. Covertech agreed to manufacture on an exclusive basis for TVM in the United States and TVM agreed to sell and market Covertech's products on an exclusive basis in the United States. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 48:16-21; ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 12:3-9; ECF No. 1 at ¶ 2; ECF No. 35 at ¶ 2).
Both parties were aware of an exception to the exclusive distribution agreement in the United States relating to a company called Fi-Foil, which asked Covertech to sell reflective insulation directly to it. Covertech sold product to Fi-Foil and paid TVM a commission on all of its sales to Fi-Foil, even though TVM was not involved in the sales. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 50:25-52:2, 144:12-19; ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 66:4:15, 67:24-68:1; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 15:22-17:5; ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 10:13-19, 131:21-23).
Pursuant to the agreement, Covertech was responsible for manufacturing. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 48:18-49:10). TVM was responsible for all sales, marketing equipment, literature, brochures, and other marketing materials, tradeshows, orders, and setting up representatives. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 136:6-7; ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 26:23-27:2; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 18:13-20; Ex. 113; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 9:4-14).
Covertech did not interact with customers. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 11:11-16). The customers who did call Covertech were redirected to TVM. (Id., at 232:16-22). Mr. Boulding directed Covertech to send all technical inquiries from customers to TVM's engineer and product manager.
TVM was responsible for developing new marketing material, though much of what it produced was based on information, photographs, drawings and other material that was provided by Covertech. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 19:19-22, 20:5-9, 21:10-24, 22:21-24, 24:16-22, 45:24-46:3, 69:13-14, 214:16-24, 217:19-23, 247:16-25, 248:1-24, 248:1-249:17, 255:3-17; ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 28:19-29-9).
Generally, all of the marketing material and literature that TVM created required Covertech's approval. If Covertech did not approve the material, then TVM would modify it. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 38:13-16, 39:4-19, 46:4-12, 71:23-72:8, 73:20-74:5, 78:15-79:2, 219:6-11; ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 42:19-43:4, 62:11-15, 63:17-20).
TVM's salespeople targeted the customers, made sales calls and gave presentations and product sessions. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 13:9-14). TVM also had discretion regarding whom they would sell a product to, and had discretion to refuse to sell a particular product to a particular customer. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 11:20-12:3).
Other than TVM's largest customer, Bay Industries ("Bay"), TVM has not disclosed the identity of its customers to Covertech. (Id. at 224:4-8, 245:10-21).
For a while, both parties benefited from the exclusive distribution agreement because Covertech had nobody else to take its product line to the U.S. marketplace, Covertech was giving up access to the U.S. marketplace and was giving up selling to anyone other than TVM. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 48:22-25, 49:28-25).
TVM was compensated by being the exclusive distributor of the product line and by getting Covertech's products at a very good price, which it would then mark up for sale in the United States. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 50:1-6; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 11:22-12:6; ECF No. 88 136:17-20; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 223:16-23, 224:25-225:10).
Under the agreement, TVM was to go to the United States market to determine what the competition was selling, educate itself in the product line, get pricing from distributors, and report back to Mr. Orologio. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 36:13-18).
For new markets and applications, TVM would identify the applicable codes and determine if certification of the product was required. It would convey that information to Covertech, who would develop a product to meet those codes and the product tested. Once the product was approved, Covertech would send the test results to TVM to put the information in the product literature. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 122:10-123:16).
Pursuant to the agreement, TVM sold Covertech's rFOIL products, including ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, NT RADIANT BARRIER, CONCRETE BARRIER FOIL, CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 52:3-9). Under the exclusive distribution agreement, TVM was allowed to use Covertech's names in selling Covertech's products. (Id. at 57:6-9; 75:8-19). From 1998 until 2006, Covertech sold over $40 million of product to TVM. (Ex. 24; ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 137:8-20).
The parties agreed to terminate the exclusive distribution agreement in October 2007. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 99:18-22). Beginning in December 2006 TVM began purchasing reflective insulation from Reflectix in addition to buying from Covertech. (Id. at 90:8-91:15). At the time that the exclusivity arrangement was terminated, TVM was buying product from both Covertech and Reflectix. (Id. at 109:2-5). TVM purchased product from Reflectix as well as from Covertech from 2006 through 2009. (Id. at 137:14-18).
Covertech gave two reasons for the termination of the exclusive distribution agreement. First, Covertech stated that TVM was having difficulty paying its bills to Covertech. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 233:7-14). TVM was having difficulty paying its bills to Covertech. (ECF No. 90, at 233:7-14). TVM's payment terms were net60, which meant that payment was due to Covertech 60 days after the product was shipped. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 219:23-220:6). TVM began to have a large amount of invoices outside of net60, totaling around $1.2 million. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 220:22-25). TVM did not pay Covertech any interest on these overdue invoices. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 27:20-23). Covertech and TVM took steps to reduce the outstanding balance, though the problem was not resolved entirely. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 56:24-57:5; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 220:22-221:20).
Second, Covertech discovered that TVM had been buying product from another manufacturer, Reflectix, and selling it using Covertech's brand names and trademarks. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 54:14-24). Covertech discovered that TVM had been passing off another manufacturer's product as Covertech product from its customer, Willow Springs. Willow Springs had received product from TVM that was unlike product it had seen when given a tour of the Covertech manufacturing facility. When Willow Springs was unable to receive a straight answer from TVM, it inquired with Covertech. Covertech informed Willow Springs that they had not manufactured the product that had been sent to Willow Springs. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 98:13-99:19, 100:2-102:23; Ex. 75). Covertech also related another incident in which TVM's Kansas City warehouse had sent out another manufacturer's product without relabeling it. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 24:23-25:9).
Mr. Boulding conceded that the millions of dollars of product that TVM purchased from Reflectix in 2006 and 2007 was contrary to TVM's agreement with Covertech. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 24:12-25).
After Covertech and TVM terminated the exclusive distribution agreement, the parties entered into a private label arrangement, under which Covertech manufactured product for TVM that TVM sold under the TVM brand. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 94:22-95:1). Mr. Boulding testified that TVM would buy Covertech product packed in a TVM bag, under a TVM label, and ship it to customers, and that TVM would no longer buy or represent in any way the rFOIL brand. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 94:24-95:1). Mr. Boulding also testified that TVM "had no right to the rFOIL brand name after the exclusive distribution agreement ended." (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 110:15-19).
According to Covertech, it was not happy with the new arrangement, because it had worked hard with the rFOIL branding of the product and it was doing well in the U.S. marketplace. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 55:24-56:4). John Starr testified that Covertech went along with the arrangement
Mr. Orologio also stated that Covertech made it clear that it had every intention to continue to promote rFOIL. (Id. at 238:10-17). Covertech essentially started its distribution from scratch by hiring salespeople, including Peter Clarke and Kelly Myers. Covertech also attended tradeshows and took on everything that TVM did when it first started selling rFOIL in the United States. (Id. at 238:18-20; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 4:15-22).
Under the private label arrangement, TVM was allowed to use the Covertech brand names and code numbers, so long as it was for Covertech's material. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 57:10-12; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 240:9-13). Due to the private label arrangement, the warranty on the private label products was a TVM warranty. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 236:21-24, 237:7-12).
Around the time that the private label agreement was instituted, the volume of purchases from Covertech by TVM declined significantly. Covertech sold only $10 million of reflective insulation to TVM from 2007 to 2010. (Ex. 24; ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 137:8-20).
TVM stopped buying product from Covertech in 2010 or early 2011. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 136:18-22). Covertech stopped selling product to TVM and TVM no longer purchased products from Covertech. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 175:8-12; ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 79:6-20).
Covertech learned that between 2006 and 2009, TVM purchased more than $2.2 million of reflective insulation products form Reflectix, and between 2009 and 2013, TVM purchased nearly $8 million of reflective insulation products from Soprema. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 48:8-23, 51:8-54:13; Exs. 28, 29, 31-36).
Between 2006 and 2010 TVM told Covertech that TVM was not buying product from competitors. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 60:21-24).
TVM and Covertech are direct competitors in the marketplace today. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 202:2-4).
Covertech has lost a lot of money because of TVM's actions, because, as John Starr testified, Covertech is now "competing against itself." (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 88:17-89:4). TVM led customers to believe that it was the manufacturer of the rFOIL products. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 137:4 — 20). In some instances, TVM even specifically claimed to be the manufacturer. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 30:13-31:11; ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 238:14-245:5; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 79:10-80:17). Mr. Boulding also improperly told customers that he owned part of Covertech. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 97:5-13).
TVM also tried to pass off other manufacturers' products as Covertech's rFOIL products to other customers, such as BCI and Metal Building Supply. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 162:3-167:15). Covertech learned about TVM's improper use of Covertech's mark through the industry. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 92:8-19). Mr. Starr told Mr. Boulding several times to
As of Mary 1, 2013, TVM was selling products on the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website using the rFOIL, CONCRETE BARRIER, CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD marks. (Exs.99, 78). TVM improperly used Covertech's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark from 2010 to 2013, despite being aware that Covertech had used the mark for its products long before then. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 105:24-106:6; Ex. 5).
Covertech introduced evidence at trial that TVM used Covertech's marks on TVM's website from 2009 through 2013. (ECF No. 87 at 93:5-94:20; Exs. 19, 67, 87, 93). Among the evidence introduced at trial of TVM's improper use of Covertech's rFOIL mark were Exhibits 67, 78, 96, 99, and 122 and the testimony related thereto. Among the evidence introduced at trial of TVM's improper use of Covertech's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark were Exhibits 11, 17, 19, 69, 70, 72, 84, and 87 and the testimony related thereto. Among the evidence introduced at trial of TVM's improper use of Covertech's CONCRETE BARRIER mark were Exhibits 67, 69, 70, 78, 84, 87, 96, 99, 103, and 122 and the testimony related thereto. Among the evidence introduced at trial of TVM's improper use of Covertech's CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD marks were Exhibits 67, 69, 70, 84, 87, 93, 96, and 103 and the testimony related thereto. Covertech did not give TVM permission to use the marks on other companies' products and Covertech did not receive any money from TVM's sales of those products. (Id. at 94:15-20).
TVM also improperly used Covertech's CBF (CONCRETE BARRIER), CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD marks and corresponding product numbers in TVM's 2011 product catalog. (Ex. 70; ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 94:23-95:6). This same catalog also uses the 1800 and 4800 product numbers. TVM improperly used Covertech's marks and product numbers in other advertising and product literature. (See Exs. 5, 69, 70, 84, 102, 122. 14). TVM also improperly used Covertech's marks and product number in TVM's price lists. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 125:25-127:25; Ex. 103).
In addition, TVM improperly marketed its products with Covertech's marks on the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com and www.tvmi.com websites. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 128:16-25; ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 43:7-15; Exs. 17, Y). From 2010 to the present, Covertech had no relationship with TVM and Covertech was not paid by TVM for its use of these marks. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 91:11-92:4). Covertech never gave permission to TVM to use Covertech's marks or Covertech's product numbers with product that was not manufactured by Covertech. (Id. at 57:13-16).
In about 2010, Covertech found out about TVM's purchases from Reflectix and Soprema from a deposition in the Mueller case, which involved warranty claims involving reflective insulation. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 59:20-60:8). If Covertech had known about those purchases earlier, it would have stopped its relationship with TVM sooner. (Id. at 60:11-20). Mr. Starr explained that the situation "wasn't right. I mean, we had put a lot of money, effort, and time into the rFOIL brand name. It was something that we owned, and they were substituting somebody else's product. So we were losing a tremendous amount of sales on our own brand names." (Id. at 61:10-17). Customers have been confused by TVM's use of Covertech's marks. Customers see the products on TVM's websites
Mr. Orologio also testified that Covertech's customers were being confused by TVM's actions. He described it as a "battle" so that all of the customers understand that TVM is no longer buying Covertech product. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 242:16-243:12). Mr. Clarke testified to instances of actual confusion as well. The first involved a company in Long Island called Worldwide Plumbing, which called him. Worldwide Plumbing was trying to buy CONCRETE UNDERPAD and Mr. Clarke gave them a quote. The customer said it had a quote for the exact same product name and number from TVM that was less expensive. Mr. Clarke had to explain who TVM is and why that product from TVM is not manufactured by Covertech. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 38:5-39:17).
Mr. Clarke also discussed confusion caused by a distributor called Can-Cell that was using Covertech's product numbers to sell TVM's products because Mr. Boulding told Can-Cell it was allowed to do so. One of Covertech's customers, Home Hardware, would call Covertech and say that Home Hardware could get the exact same product from Can-Cell. Mr. Clarke would then need to explain that it was not Covertech's product, but a different product altogether. That confusion by Home Hardware was still ongoing at the time of trial. (Id. at 39:18-41:8).
Mr. Clarke has had to field phone calls and try to explain the situation to customers. Covertech also put out a press release about TVM's unauthorized use of the marks and product numbers. Every time a customer is confused, Mr. Clarke sends the customer a copy of the press release. In his words, he uses the press release "all the time." (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 43:13-44:13; Ex. 123). The confusion is particularly problematic because of the historical relationship between TVM and Covertech, and because the industry used to buy Covertech's products from TVM. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 136:17-137:5).
When asked about whether other companies use Covertech's names and product numbers, Mr. Starr explained that if they are buying Covertech's product, they are authorized to use Covertech's product names and numbers. If they are not buying Covertech's product, Mr. Starr will act to stop the usage. (Id. at 169:5-11).
For example, Mr. Starr was asked about a company called Thermo that markets CONCRETE BARRIER foil and uses Covertech's product numbers. Mr. Starr explained that Thermo is a distributor of Covertech. (Id. at 179:23-180:3). Similarly, Mr. Starr discussed a Covertech distributor called Ecofoil, and how Covertech makes it known to the industry that if you want to buy Covertech's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER product, you can go to Ecofoil to get it. (Id. at 174:24-125:6).
Mr. Starr and Mr. Clarke were asked about other examples of Covertech's mark being used on the internet. Mr. Starr and Mr. Clarke testified that, in the U.S., all of the uses were either by an authorized user (such as a Covertech distributor), or were unauthorized uses by TVM or one of TVM's distributors or suppliers. (Id. at 218:13-17; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 46:18-49:5). Mr. Boulding testified that the www.tvmbuildingsproducts.com website, which improperly marked TVM products with Covertech's marks, is administered
Mr. Boulding stated that the tvmbuildinproducts.com website is one of the ways that TVM promotes its products. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 34:23-25). On that website are TVM's name, logo, mission statement, and a section about TVM Building Products. (Id. at 35:9-24; Ex. 131). TVM's corporate website, www.tvmi.com, contains a link to the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website. (Id. at 36:10-37:1; Ex. 73).
Mr. Boulding also stated that he could call up the distributor, Michael Thrift, and have him change content on the site and remove references to rFOIL, which Mr. Boulding actually did during the trial. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 114:6-12; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 32:21-34:16). Mr. Boulding says that he speaks to Mr. Thrift every day. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 34:7).
Mr. Boulding paid an employee of Mr. Thrift to run some searches for use at trial. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 38:16-39:10). In other words, Mr. Boulding paid an employee of Michael Thrift to search for instances where third parties were using Covertech's marks. The selective results did not include the use of the marks on www.tvmbuildingproducts.com. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 38:23-39:10). Exhibit 24 shows the amount of product TVM purchased from Covertech from 1998 until 2010, broken down by year. (Ex. 24; ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 137:8-20).
Exhibit 25 shows TVM's sales to its customers in the metal building industry. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 202:25-206:2). TVM's sales from 2009 to 2013 total $5,791,92. (Ex. 25). Exhibit 26 shows TVM's sales of the 1800 ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER from 2006 through 2013. (Ex. 26; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 44:18-45:3). TVM's sales of ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER between 2010 and 2013 total $369,014. (Ex. 26).
A few months after Covertech registered ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER as its trademark in Canada, TVM filed an application with the USPTO to register ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER as a trademark in the United States. (Exs.4, 11). The registration was done by and for TVM, not Covertech. (Ex. 11; ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 114:25-115:5).
In connection with the application, TVM submitted a Response to Office Action on September 9, 2011, stating that:
(Ex. 11, Response to Office Action dated 9/9/2011). TVM also submitted a declaration that was electronically signed by Mr. Boulding on September 9, 2011, in which he stated that "[t]he undersigned, being hereby warned that willful false statements and the like so made are punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both, under 18 U.S.C. Section 1001, and that such willful false statements may jeopardize the validity of the application or any resulting registration." (Ex. 11; ECF No. 89, Trial Tr.,
Mr. Boulding conceded that the evidence at trial showed that Covertech is using ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER today and has been using it continuously since 2003. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 63:1-16). Mr. Boulding admitted at trial "that the statement that [he] signed under penalty of perjury in the USPTO is now false." (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 66:15-18). He also conceded that he has not submitted an amendment. (Id. at 66:19-21).
Pursuant to the application filed by TVM on March 30, 2011, the USPTO added the trademark ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER to its principal register on January 17, 2012 as Reg. No. 4,086,776. (Ex. 114, ¶ 6; Ex. 12).
Covertech filed its own application to register the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark, but the registration has not been approved because TVM had already registered the mark. (Ex. 132; ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 165:20-23). In connection with the application, Mr. Starr submitted a declaration in which he stated that he believed that Covertech was the owner of the mark and that Mr. Starr believed that no other entity had the right to use the mark. (Ex. EEEE).
The USPTO has placed Covertech's application in suspense pending the termination of this civil action. (Ex. 132).
TVM was often behind in the payment of invoices to Covertech for product that Covertech had shipped to TVM. Covertech was required to take steps to remedy the situation. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 56:24-57:5; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 220:22-221:20). Mr. Szymanowski, Covertech's comptroller, testified at trial that TVM owed Covertech $228,305.17 for the unpaid invoiced. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 231:1-9; Ex. 40). Mr. Boulding admitted at trial that TVM had not paid Covertech for these invoices. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 221:7-16).
Mr. Boulding testified at trial that TVM did not pay Covertech for the invoices listed on Exhibit 40 because there were credits due to TVM for warranty claims that had been approved by Covertech but not paid. He believed that the money TVM owed to Covertech was offset by money that Covertech owed to TVM. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 221:7-25). Mr. Boulding testified that all of these credit requests had been approved by Covertech. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 221:17-21). TVM introduced no other supporting evidence on this point. On cross-examination, also Mr. Boulding conceded that some of the credit requests he identified had already been paid by Covertech. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 90:25-92:7).
In October 2010 and thereafter, TVM agreed to pay a portion of the settlements to resolve warranty claims for allegedly defective insulation submitted by Southern Structures, LLC ("Southern Structures"), Acadian Commercial, LLC ("Acadian"), Halpin's Flooring America ("Halpin's"), Marquis Building ("Marquis"), and Dayon. (ECF No. 1 at ¶¶ 63, 127; ECF No. 35 at ¶¶ 63, 127; Exs. 21-23).
Mr. Szymanowski testified that for Southern Structures, Acadian, Halpin's, and Marquis, TVM agreed to pay a portion of those settlements, Covertech then paid
Mr. Szymanowski also testified about Exhibits 21, 22, and 23, which show that TVM agreed to pay a portion of those settlements; that Covertech then paid the settlements to the claimants and obtained releases; and that Covertech invoiced TVM for its portion of the settlement. (Id. at 235:2-240:2; Exs. 21-23).
Mr. Szymanowski further testified at trial that TVM had not paid its agreed upon contribution to Covertech. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 231:10-240:2). The total amount that TVM agreed to contribute to these settlements was $13,000. (Exs. 21 — 23; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 235:2 — 239:8). TVM has not paid that money to Covertech. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 236:7-1; 238:17-18; 240:1-2). Mr. Boulding testified that while TVM had not paid Covertech for the Southern Structures, Acadian, Halpin's, and Marquis claims, TVM had instead paid an entire claim for $15,000, though he did not remember whom that claim was paid to. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 220:10-11, 220:11-13). He testified that the $15,000 payment offset the $13,000 that TVM had agreed to pay. (Id. at 220:23-221:3). TVM provided no further evidence in support of that assertion.
At some point in the 1990s, Covertech's rFOIL product started to be used in the metal building industry. At some point, Covertech started to manufacture product with Fire Retardant ("FR") in it, and the product could be used in metal buildings. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 52:15-22).
In 2004, TVM and Covertech received first reports of problems with rFOIL. The reports stated that rFOIL was degrading in certain applications. In 2004, there were at least three reports of the product degrading when used in the roof of an open-sided building or porch. The product was becoming brittle and falling apart. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 141:22 — 142:10, 144:7 — 145:17; ECF No. 91 at 9:7 — 16).
According to Mr. Orologio, both TVM and Covertech knew in 2004 that the cause of the degradation could be UV. Mr. Orologio testified that there was a meeting in the spring or summer of 2004 with Mr. Boulding, Mike Dubreuil of Ampacet, the company that had provided the resin used by Covertech to make its polyethylene film, and himself. According to Mr. Orologio, they were told by Mr. Dubreuil that the cause of the degradation was exposure to UV light. Mr. Orologio testified that Mr. Boulding was skeptical of the conclusion. Mr. Orologio believed that Mr. Boulding would take steps to ensure that no one would apply the product under those conditions. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 10:5-13:20, 14:20-15:11, 81:16-82:25).
Prior to the 2004 meeting with Mr. Dubreuil at Ampacet, Mr. Orologio did not know that the reflective insulation would degrade where it did not make direct contact with UV rays. (Id. at 22:20-23). Prior to 2004, Mr. Orologio also did not know that sunlight coming through small windows would degrade the product, and he did not believe that UV bouncing off concrete would degrade product on the ceiling. (Id. at 22:24-23:30).
Mr. Orologio was asked why he, as the manufacturer, did not stop selling the product to TVM and he explained that the product was being used for multiple purposes. It could be used behind drywall, in attic applications, and under concrete. The same product was used for multiple purposes. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 15:20-16-16, 108:1-9; Ex. B).
Mr. Orologio was very upset when he learned there were more claims and he questioned Mr. Boulding about what had been done to prevent it from happening again. In 2004, Mr. Orologio had encouraged TVM to communicate the issue to its customers. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 18:10-24).
Mr. Orologio met with Mr. Boulding on September 28, 2005, and demanded that Mr. Boulding inform the marketplace that the product could not be used where it was going to be exposed to UV light. Mr. Boulding prepared and sent out an Urgent Notice regarding degradation. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 19:1-4; Ex. NN2).
The Urgent Notice was titled Urgent Notice — Open Sided Building and it stated "Please be advised that TVM no longer recommends WHITE POLY-FACED rFOIL products, for use in open-sided buildings, overhangs, lean-to structures, or anywhere the while poly may be exposed to direct or reflected UV light." The Urgent Notice also states that "This problem is not unique to rFOIL. Any polyethylene product can degrade when exposed to UV radiation." (Ex. NN2). According to Mr. Orologio, his discussion with Mr. Boulding was not limited to open-sided buildings. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., 19:5-24).
According to Mr. Boulding, he thought the Urgent Notice had its intended effect because, to his recollection, there were no claims in 2006. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., 170:7-171:2). According to Mr. Boulding, TVM learned in December 2007 that the degradation was a bigger problem because they started to see the problem in enclosed buildings, i.e., metal buildings with walls, bay doors and skylights, for the first time. That was when the "light bulb" went off. (Id. at 118:1-21; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 83:9-20; ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 187:23-188:3; Ex. UU).
Mr. Boulding said that TVM had no record of UV damage in enclosed buildings, with walls and skylights, prior to 2007. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 85:2-86:15). However, at trial it was established that, contrary to Mr. Boulding's recollection and testimony, TVM had notice of at least two claims in 2006 that involved UV degradation in enclosed buildings. (Id. at 86:16-87:16, 87:25-88:4; ECF No. 91, at 142:1-143:3, 190:11-191:18; Ex. 134, 138).
Mr. Orologio stated that in 2006, he and Mr. Boulding discussed that the product could degrade if it was exposed to direct or indirect light, whether it was enclosed or exposed to the elements. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 21:14-21). Prior to 2007, Mr. Boulding knew that there had not been any UV testing done on the insulation. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 77:12-78:7). Covertech met the requirements of many other tests, such as fire code, emissivity codes, reflectivity codes, strength, tensile, puncture, resistance, corrosion, moisture barrier test, and the fungi test, all of which were requested by TVM. TVM never requested testing for UV. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 123:17-124:10; Ex. JJJJ).
Consistent with TVM's notice of claims of UV degradation in enclosed buildings with windows and skylights in 2006, in January 2007, Balkar Jagpal at TVM sent
TVM requested the price of adding UV inhibitor by email, and Mr. Orologio provided that information by telephone. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 23:21-25:4). According to Mr. Boulding, UV inhibitor was then added to the product, but the price of the product did not increase. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 185:19-25; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 190:3-191:6). Covertech started to add UV inhibitor to its product in late 2006 or 2007. Mr. Orologio stated that he added the inhibitor, but did not tell the industry until 2008 because he did not have the weathering test results from Ampacet. He did not have the results and he did not want to make claims that he could not back up. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 148:23-150:7, 151:16-152:11, 155:8-156:7, 158:24-159:25, 165:25-166:15, 169:10-23; Ex. AAA (Ampacet weathering test); Ex. GGG-1 (2006 test from Ampacet)). There have been no degradation claims of product containing the UV inhibitor. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 186:1-15)).
At the trial in the matter, Mr. Orologio explained that he had known that UV inhibitors being used in solar blankets (pool covers) for decades and that it in certain areas, they are required or the blanket will degrade. He testified that if a solar blanket were used in Arizona, it would require a UV package, but if it were used in Toronto, Canada, where there is less direct sunlight, the UV package would not mean that much. Mr. Orologio said that this was common knowledge in the pool cover business, a line of products Covertech also sells. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 5:24-6:3).
In explaining his statement during the Mueller deposition, Mr. Orologio testified at the trial in this case that, being in the swimming pool business, he knew that if polyethylene was exposed to sunlight, it would deteriorate. Prior to 2004, he believed the product probably would not deteriorate in applications where it was applied to the ceiling with minimal exposure to sunlight. (ECF No. 91, Trial Tr., at 97:14-98:24). Mr. Orologio stated that he knew that the product was being used in metal buildings, but the metal buildings that he saw every day, so-called Quonset buildings, had no windows, no skylights and only a door at the end. He did not know, in April of 2006, that Mueller's buildings contained skylights and windows. (Id. at 109:22-110:16, 115:21-116-10).
According to Mr. Boulding, "we anticipate that we lost about $12 and a half million in sales due to the defective product." Tr., Boulding, 10/22 at 206:24-25. According to Mr. Boulding, for that $12 and half million in sales, TVM's profit margin is approximately 30 percent, so about $4 million, a little over $4 million." (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 207:1-5). Mr. Boulding agreed that he had testified that his margin was 15 to 30 percent and that he just picked the highest number. He said he "did not go through every sale." (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 110:1-12). Mr. Boulding did not discount for the fact that at this same time, TVM stopped selling rFOIL and started to compete against it. He agreed that for eight years, rFOIL had been "the world's leading reflective insulation." He also said that it was the "leading reflective insulation brand worldwide." (Id. at 110:21-111:23). Mr. Boulding did not account for other situations that were
In the Mueller case, TVM and Covertech entered into a settlement agreement on July 25, 2013. (Ex. 52). As stated in the recitals to the settlement agreement, "the Parties have agreed to fully and finally compromise, settle and resolve all claims, potential claims, causes of action and potential causes of action asserted by them in the above entitled and numbered cause...." (Ex. 52).
The settlement agreement, includes a release, which states that:
(Ex. 52, § 3.1 (emphasis added); ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 119:10-121:13). According to Mr. Boulding, he is not seeking damages for anything arising from the products in the Mueller case. He said that Mueller accounted for approximately 20 percent of the amount of TVM's sales in that period of time. (Id. at 156:25-157:16).
Covertech has brought claims against TVM under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114 and 1125(a), including trademark infringement claims relating to its registered rFOIL and CONCRETE BARRIER trademarks, as well as unfair competition claims relating to its unregistered CONCRETE UNDERPAD/ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER marks. (ECF No. 1 at 20-23). Covertech has also brought a claim that TVM committed fraud on the USPTO by registering the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. (Id. at 24-25). Covertech further asserts claims for common law unfair competition, two distinct claims for breaches of contract, and a claim for unjust enrichment. (Id. at 23-30). The Court notes that the parties have stipulated to the voluntary dismissal of Covertech's claims for federal trademark dilution and fraudulent misrepresentation. (ECF No. 93).
A person shall be liable in a civil action by the registrant of a trademark if he, without the consent of the registrant, does the following:
15 U.S.C. § 1114(1).
To prove a violation of the Lanham Act through trademark infringement, 15 U.S.C. § 1114, and federal unfair competition, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(A), "a plaintiff must demonstrate that (1) it has a valid and legally protectable mark; (2) it owns the mark; and (3) the defendant's use of the mark to identify goods or services causes a likelihood of confusion." A & H Sportswear, Inc. v. Victoria's Secret Stores, Inc., 237 F.3d 198, 210 (3d Cir. 2000) (citing Commerce Nat'l Ins. Servs., Inc. v. Commerce Ins. Agency, Inc., 214 F.3d 432, 437 (3d Cir.2000)). The plaintiff bears the burden of proof. Id. at 211 (citing American Home Prods. Corp. v. Barr Labs., Inc., 834 F.2d 368, 371 (3d Cir.1987)).
The Court found above that the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") added the trademark rFOIL to its principal register pursuant to an application filed by Covertech on September 18, 1997. If the mark at issue is federally registered and has become incontestable, then validity, legal protectability, and ownership are proved. See Commerce Nat. Ins. Servs., Inc., 214 F.3d at 438 (citing Ford Motor Co. v. Summit Motor Prods., 930 F.2d 277, 292 (3d Cir.1991)). The parties stipulated prior to trial that rFOIL was incontestable pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1065. (ECF No. 79 at 1). Thus, Covertech has succeeded in proving ownership, legal protectability and validity of rFOIL. See Ford Motor Co., 930 F.2d at 292.
Next, the Court must determine whether or not Covertech has demonstrated likelihood of confusion. Likelihood of confusion exists where the consumers viewing the defendant's mark would probably assume that the product or service it represents associated with the source of a different product or service is identified by a similar mark. Ford Motor Co., 930 F.2d at 292 (quoting Scott Paper Co. v. Scott's Liquid Gold, Inc., 589 F.2d 1225, 1229 (3d Cir.1978)). The Third Circuit has identified a number of factors that govern the likelihood of confusion analysis, namely:
Id. at 293 (citing Scott Paper Co., 589 F.2d at 1229). The plaintiff must show likely confusion by a preponderance of the evidence. KP Permanent Make-Up, Inc. v. Lasting Impression I, Inc., 543 U.S. 111, 120, 125 S.Ct. 542, 160 L.Ed.2d 440 (2004). The ten factors of the analysis will each be considered individually below.
Perhaps the most important of the factors on the above ten-factor list is the degree of similarity between the two marks. Ford Motor Co., 930 F.2d at 293. The Third Circuit has held that "if the overall impression created by marks is essentially the same, `it is very probable that the marks are confusingly similar.'" Id. (citing Opticians Ass'n of America v. Independent Opticians of America, 920 F.2d 187, 195 (3d Cir.1990)). The likelihood of confusion should be determined by viewing the two marks from the perspective of an ordinary consumer of the goods or services. See id. (citing Dominion Bankshares Corp. v. Devon Holding Co., Inc., 690 F.Supp. 338, 345 (E.D.Pa.1988); 2 McCarthy, Trademarks and Unfair Competition at §§ 23:27-29). The degree of caution used by these ordinary consumers depends on the relevant buying class. Id. Where a buyer class is mixed, the standard of care to be exercised by the reasonably prudent purchaser will be equal to that of the least sophisticated consumer in the class. Id.
The Court finds that the evidence presented at trial establishes that TVM used the identical rFOIL mark as Covertech. Covertech asserted at trial that TVM had tried to pass off other manufacturers' products as Covertech's rFOIL products to other customers, such as BCI and Metal Building Supply. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 162:3-167:15). Covertech further testified that it had learned about TVM's improper use of Covertech's marks through the industry. (ECF No. 97, Trial Tr., at 92:8-19).
Of particular importance is the listing of "ULTRA CBF CONCRETE BARRIER rFOIL" on the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website. (Exs. 67, 96, 99). TVM counters that it does not control this website as it is the website of a TVM distributor. (ECF No. 96 at 20). Upon learning of the advertisement at trial, TVM contacted the distributor to remove all references to rFOIL. (Id.).
By TVM's own admission, it has influence over what is put on that website. Mr. Boulding testified that he could call up the distributor, Michael Thrift, and have him change the content on the site and remove the references to rFOIL. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 114:6-12; ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 32:21-34:16). There is a link from the TVM website to TVM distributors and TVM online retailers, including links to www.tvmbuildingproducts.com and www.tvmbuildingproducts.ca. (Ex. 73). In addition, the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website explains that TVM Building Products began as a distributor, but slowly developed their own line of building materials under the TVM name. (Ex. 130). The website further states that "TVM Building Products are proudly distributed by www.tvmbuildingproducts.com." (Id.).
The Court finds it noteworthy that it was not until trial that TVM asked the website's administrator to take down the references to rFOIL. (ECF No. 96 at 20). TVM presented no evidence that it had asked the website administrator to take down rFOIL references in the past. This evidence supports a finding of mark similarity.
Further, Covertech presented evidence of the similarity of the TVM products in the form of testimony by Dan Higgins of Willow Springs. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 98:13-99:19, 100:2-102:23; Ex. 75). Mr. Higgins testified that he had received product from TVM in 2007 with the Covertech rFOIL label on it. (Id. at 98:12-13). He later learned that the product was not from Covertech. (Id. at 98:15-17). Mr. Higgins testified that he had shipped three rolls of the product up to Covertech for inspection, which determined that the
The Court finds that there is sufficient evidence that TVM used a mark identical to Covertech's rFOIL mark, and that it tried to pass off another manufacturer's rFOIL mark as Covertech's rFOIL mark. This factor therefore favors Covertech.
The second factor in the analysis is the strength of the owner's mark. A & H Sportswear, Inc., 237 F.3d at 211. In making this determination, the Court must examine: (1) the mark's distinctiveness or conceptual strength (the inherent features of the mark) and (2) its commercial strength (factual evidence of marketplace recognition). Freedom Card, Inc. v. JPMorgan Chase & Co., 432 F.3d 463, 472 (3d Cir.2005). The conceptual strength of a mark is determined by classifying the mark in one of four categories: (1) generic (such as "DIET CHOCOLATE FUDGE SODA"); (2) descriptive (such as "SECURITY CENTER"); suggestive (such as "COPPERTONE"); and (4) arbitrary or fanciful (such as "KODAK"). A & H Sportswear, Inc., 237 F.3d at 221.
Id. at 221-222 (internal citations and quotations omitted). The Lanham Act provides that stronger marks receive greater protection. Id. at 222. The particular level of distinctiveness into which a mark falls (i.e., arbitrary, suggestive, or descriptive) is not the only measure of conceptual strength. See id. The classification system's primary purpose is to determine whether the mark is protectable as a trademark in the first place, that is, to determine whether consumers are likely to perceive the mark as a signifier of origin, rather than as a mere identification of the type of product. Id. (citing A.J. Canfield Co. v. Honickman, 808 F.2d 291 (3d Cir. 1986); Banff, Ltd. v. Federated Dep't Stores, Inc., 841 F.2d 486, 489 (2d Cir. 1988)).
The Court finds that the mark rFOIL is not arbitrary or fanciful, as the word "foil" included in "rFOIL" suggests something about the characteristic of the product. Suggestive marks require consumer imagination, thought, or perception to determine what the product is. Id. Covertech produces reflective insulation. The word "foil" in rFOIL suggests that the product has reflective qualities. Thus, the Court finds that rFOIL should be classified as a suggestive mark, thereby qualifying for Lanham Act protection.
With regard to commercial strength, the Court must examine marketplace recognition. Freedom Card, 432 F.3d at 472.
At trial, Covertech introduced numerous Exhibits of marketing material that referenced rFOIL. (See Exs. 6, 9, 10, 18, 66, 68). The Court finds that Covertech has provided sufficient evidence of extensive marketing material to warrant a finding that the rFOIL mark is commercially strong. The Court finds that Covertech's rFOIL mark has achieved marketplace recognition based on its extensive marketing material. Covertech further represented to the Court that it has sold "millions and millions of dollars' worth" of rFOIL-branded product in the United States. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 73:23-74:1). Covertech also presented evidence in the form of testimony by Dan Higgins that its customers are familiar with the rFOIL product line, that they believe it is quality product and they associate it with Covertech. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 96:12-14, 107:2-12). The Court finds Covertech's employees and customers to be credible in all these areas. Thus, the Court finds that the mark is a strong one because it has achieved extensive sales of its product and it is well-known by consumers in the reflective insulation market.
The third factor considers "the price of the goods and other factors indicative of the care and attention expected of consumers when making a purchase." A & H Sportswear, Inc., 237 F.3d at 211. Evidence at trial suggested that TVM and Covertech customers exercised care when choosing their product. Mr. Higgins testified that the source of the material he buys is important to him. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 103:18-19). He also testified that he believed the rFOIL products were quality products. (Id. at 96:12-14). According to Mr. Starr, a typical roll of Covertech's rFOIL products costs $70 to $120. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 47:1-11). Covertech only sells its product by the truckload, each of which costs $20,000 to $30,000. (Id.). The Court finds evidence of sophistication among distributors such as Dan Higgins of Willow Springs. However, the Court notes that even Mr. Higgins testified to being confused about the origin of the product he received from TVM, which was dissimilar from the product he had seen during his visit to the Covertech factory. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 98:13-99:19, 100:2-102:23; Ex. 75). The Court notes that Mr. Higgins is merely a distributor in the supply chain, and that no evidence was presented at trial regarding the level of sophistication among the ultimate consumers of Covertech product.
The fourth factor considers "the length of time defendant has used the mark without evidence of actual confusion arising." A & H Sportswear, Inc., 237 F.3d at 211. Covertech provided evidence at trial that Mr. Higgins of Willow Springs was confused upon receiving product that was purportedly manufactured by Covertech but did not bear a resemblance to the Covertech product he had seen at the factory. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 98:13-99:19, 100:2-102:23; Ex. 75). Mr. Higgins further related that he was unable to get straight answers about the product from TVM, and that after the product was sent
TVM argues that Mr. Higgins' statements are clearly skewed because Mr. Higgins stated that there was also a red and white Covertech label attached to the product, and neither Covertech, nor TVM has ever used a red and white label. (ECF No. 96 at 69). The Court finds that Mr. Higgins' mere misrecollection of the color of the label attached to the product he purchased from TVM does not undermine the validity of his statements regarding the provenance of the product he ordered or his subsequent interactions with TVM and Covertech. The Court finds Mr. Higgins' testimony to be credible, and that it provided strong evidence that confusion arose in the marketplace shortly after TVM began to use Covertech's mark. This factor favors Covertech.
The fifth factor is the "intent of the defendant in adopting the mark." A & H Sportswear, Inc., 237 F.3d at 211. Covertech claims that TVM has willfully adopted its rFOIL and other marks with an intent to exploit them for TVM's own improper pecuniary gain. (ECF No. 97 at 60). TVM served as Covertech's marketing arm and was therefore well aware of Covertech's use of the rFOIL mark. The Court found above that Covertech presented sufficient evidence that TVM had copied its product, and that Covertech never expressed an intent to abandon its rFOIL mark. Therefore, the Court concludes that TVM's adoption of the rFOIL mark was intentional and willful. See Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. v. Andrx Corp., 369 F.3d 700, 721 (3d Cir.2004).
Covertech presented instances of actual confusion at trial. As the Court noted above, Dan Higgins of Willow Springs testified to his confusion regarding the rFOIL product line when he received product from TVM that was purportedly manufactured by Covertech but did not bear any of the characteristics of the product he had seen while touring the Covertech facility. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 98:13-99:19, 100:2-102:23). The Court finds that this factor favors Covertech.
In addition, Covertech established at trial that it advertises through the same channels of trade as TVM, namely on the internet, at trade-shows, in trade magazines, and in promotional materials provided to customers. Covertech presented extensive evidence of its rFOIL marketing material at trial. (See Exs. 6, 9, 10, 18, 66, 68). Both Covertech and TVM use their websites to promote their product. Finally, they both have advertised in Rural Builder magazine. (Exs. 6, I, J). The Court is satisfied that Covertech advertised through the same channels of trade as TVM. This factor of the analysis thus also favors Covertech.
The eighth factor of the analysis considers the extent to which the targets of the parties' sales efforts are the same. A & H Sportswear, Inc., 237 F.3d at 211. Covertech presented evidence at trial that supports a finding that Covertech and TVM
The ninth factor, the relationship of the goods in the minds of consumers, whether because of the near-identity of the products, the similarity of function, or other factors, similarly favors Covertech because the rFOIL marks used by Covertech and TVM are identical and serve the same purpose, even though their design and composition might be different. As Dan Higgins' testimony exemplifies, customers are confused by the similarity of rFOIL and Covertech products. This presents a strong example of the strong relationship of the goods in the minds of customers.
In considering the tenth factor, the Court finds that the evidence presented at trial supports a finding that consumers may expect that Covertech would have expanded into TVM's market. The consuming public may not have known that the close exclusive distribution relationship between Covertech and TVM had ceased to exist. It was also established at trial that TVM uses the same product numbers as Covertech, a fact that would further heighten a customer's belief that Covertech had expanded into TVM's market. Thus, the Court finds that this factor favors Covertech.
Based on the above considerations, the Court finds that Covertech has established a strong likelihood of confusion among customers. The evidence supports a finding that TVM purposefully adopted the mark as its own after termination of the exclusive distribution agreement. While Covertech only presented the direct testimony of one customer regarding his actual confusion about the origin of the product, the Court also finds the Covertech employees' testimony to be credible regarding customer confusion. Though the Willow Springs incident occurred more than seven years ago, the Court is satisfied that confusion is ongoing. In addition, the Court finds that TVM exercised sufficient control over the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website to attribute the website to TVM and thus make them liable for the website's use of the rFOIL mark. The parties also advertise through the same channels of trade and target the same customers. All these considerations support a finding of likelihood of confusion.
Since Covertech has established validity, legal protectability, ownership and likelihood of confusion with regard to TVM's use of its rFOIL mark, all of the elements of a federal trademark infringement claim have been satisfied. The Court therefore finds that TVM is liable to Covertech for federal trademark infringement of Covertech's rFOIL trademark.
CONCRETE BARRIER is a registered mark, the certificate of registration of
Covertech's production of the certificate of registration at trial establishes that it has a legally protectable mark. The Court is also satisfied that Covertech owns the mark. Covertech's employee, John Starr, represented to the Court that it created CONCRETE BARRIER and that the mark has been used in in commerce throughout the United States since 1998. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 53:10-24). The Court has found Mr. Starr to be credible. TVM counters that it is in fact the true owner of the mark, because TVM was the first to use the mark in 1998 when it began selling the CONCRETE BARRIER product under the agreement. (ECF No. 96 at 60).
The first party to adopt a trademark can assert ownership rights, provided it continuously uses it in commerce. See Ford Motor Co., 930 F.2d at 292 (citations omitted). In a manufacturer-distributor relationship, sometimes the distributor will own a mark rather than the manufacturer. Doeblers' Pennsylvania Hybrids, Inc. v. Doebler, 442 F.3d 812, 825 (3d Cir.2006), as amended (May 5, 2006). The mere fact that a manufacturer who already owns a mark enters into an agreement with a distributor to sell the manufacturer's goods does not, by itself, vest ownership of the mark in the distributor. Id. at 826. In disputes between a manufacturer and distributor regarding ownership of a mark, courts may first look to contractual expectations. See id. (citing 2 McCarthy on Trademarks § 16:48). Where there is no contractual provision, courts should look at consumer expectations. Id. However, this approach is inapplicable where initial ownership has already been established. Id.
The Court finds that TVM did not acquire ownership rights in the CONCRETE BARRIER mark by mere virtue of the fact that it acted as Covertech's distributor. Further, the Court finds that Covertech has established initial ownership of the product. While TVM used the mark in 1998 when it began selling CONCRETE BARRIER pursuant to the exclusive distribution agreement, the mark was initially advertised solely as a Covertech mark. TVM introduced evidence at trial of the September and October 1999 issues of Rural Builder magazine, both of which include advertisements for Covertech CONCRETE BARRIER Foil. (Exs. G, I). Covertech has established that it adopted the mark in the United States at least as early as 1998, and has continuously used it
The parties have not stipulated that the mark is incontestable. Thus, the Court must look to secondary meaning in order to determine validity. "If the mark has not been federally registered or, if registered, has not achieved incontestability, then `validity depends on proof of secondary meaning, unless the unregistered or contestable mark is inherently distinctive.'" Ford Motor Co., 930 F.2d at 292. Secondary meaning must be established by the plaintiff at the time and place that the defendant began use of the mark. Id. (citing Scott Paper Co., 589 F.2d at 1231; J. Thomas McCarthy, McCarthy on Trademarks and Unfair Competition § 15:4 (4th ed.1997)). "Secondary meaning exists when the mark `is interpreted by the consuming public to be not only an identification of the product or services, but also a representation of the origin of those products or services.'" Commerce Nat. Ins. Servs., Inc. v. Commerce Ins. Agency, Inc., 214 F.3d 432, 438 (3d Cir.2000) (citing Scott Paper Co., 589 F.2d at 1228). In general, secondary meaning "is established through extensive advertising which creates in the minds of consumers an association between the mark and the provider of the services advertised under the mark." Id.
The Court considers a non-exclusive list of factors in determining secondary meaning. This non-exclusive list includes: "(1) the extent of sales and advertising leading to buyer association; (2) length of use; (3) exclusivity of use; (4) the fact of copying; (5) customer surveys; (6) customer testimony; (7) the use of the mark in trade journals; (8) the size of the company; (9) the number of sales; (10) the number of customers; and, (11) actual confusion." Id. The more descriptive the term, the greater the evidentiary burden to establish secondary meaning. See id. at 441 (citing McCarthy, Trademarks, § 15:28).
Regarding the first factor, Covertech's Vice President John Starr testified at trial that Covertech has sold millions of dollars of its CONCRETE BARRIER product in the United States. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 74:2-4). In addition, Covertech presented evidence in support of buyer association through the testimony of Kelly Myers, who testified that the CONCRETE BARRIER product was "huge" and one of Covertech's "marquee products." (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 148:4-9). He also stated that he sometimes referred to it as one of Covertech's "flagship products," and that since it was unique and patented, the competition did not have it. (Id. at 147:22-148:10). Dan Higgins of Willow Springs testified that he associated CONCRETE BARRIER with Covertech. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 107:5-7). Covertech also noted that it had advertised its mark extensively by advertising in trade journals, at trade shows, in publications and literature, and on the internet. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 67:8-14, 86:15-19, 68:9-14; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 138:16-139:3, 159:17-24). Covertech introduced marketing material at trial that indicated that Covertech was the manufacturer of the mark. (Ex. 68). Covertech also introduced evidence of a Sales & Marketing Proposal for Central Reserve stating that "Covertech Fabricating, Inc. (TVM Building Products) warrants rFOIL Products
TVM notes that it did all the marketing for Covertech from 1998-2007 during the period of the exclusive distribution agreement (ECF No. 96 at 58). The Court observes that much of the marketing material introduced by Covertech references primarily TVM. Exhibit 13 is a list entitled "USA Label — Identification." (Ex. 13, page 1). The upper left-hand corner has the TVM logo. Exhibits 81 and 95 are marketing materials that bear the TVM logo and contain TVM's contact information. Exhibit 81 adds that "Covertech Fabricating Inc. warrants its rFOIL Insulation Products against all defects in material and workmanship for 10 years from the date of purchase." This suggests to the customer that Covertech is the manufacturer standing behind the product. Covertech recognized that the marketing proposals and advertisements may have suggested to some customers that TVM in fact stood behind the product. John Starr testified for Covertech at trial that he had complained about the fact that the brochures did not state that the product was manufactured by Covertech. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 177:6-11).
The Court finds that Covertech's salespeople gave credible testimony. Further, Dan Higgins, a Covertech customer, testified to his association of CONCRETE BARRIER with Covertech. Covertech advertised its CONCRETE BARRIER product in the September and October 1999 issues of Rural Builder magazine (Exs. G, I). Covertech also introduced a marketing brochure in which Covertech was listed as the product's manufacturer. All of these considerations taken together satisfy the Court that customers associate the CONCRETE BARRIER mark with Covertech.
Regarding the second factor, length of use, John Starr testified for Covertech that it had been using the CONCRETE BARRIER mark continuously in interstate commerce throughout the United States since 1998 and it uses it today. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 66:25-67:7). The Court already considered the length of use in its discussion of Covertech's ownership of the mark. The Court finds Mr. Starr's testimony to be credible and is satisfied that Covertech began to use the product throughout the United States in 1998 and has used it continuously since then. This factor therefore favors Covertech.
As to factor three, exclusivity of use, TVM states that it was permitted by Covertech to use the CONCRETE BARRIER mark during the pendency of their distribution agreement. (ECF No. 96 at 55). Covertech's John Starr stated that pursuant to the exclusive distribution agreement, Covertech had TVM sell Covertech's rFOIL products, including ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, NT RADIANT BARRIER, CONCRETE BARRIER FOIL, CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 52:3-9). Covertech also confirmed that under the exclusive distribution agreement, TVM was allowed to use Covertech's names in selling Covertech's products. (Id. at 57:6-9, 75:8-19).
The Court recognizes that TVM and Covertech were initially under an exclusive distribution agreement under which Covertech agreed to manufacture on an exclusive basis for TVM and TVM agreed to sell and market Covertech's products on an exclusive basis in the U.S. marketplace. (Id. at 48:16-21; ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at
According to TVM, the ubiquitous use of the product by various industries makes it impossible for members of the consuming public to determine the source of the product. (ECF No. 96 at 58-59). Covertech counters that any use of its mark by other distributors was either authorized use or unauthorized use by TVM. Mr. Starr testified for Covertech at trial that if other companies are buying Covertech product, they were authorized to use Covertech's product names and numbers. However, if they were not buying Covertech product, then Covertech "would go after them." (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 169:5-11).
The Court is satisfied that Covertech accurately represented the status of the industry, and that it authorized use of its mark by certain distributors. Covertech has exclusively used the CONCRETE BARRIER mark, subject to an agreement with TVM allowing TVM to distribute the CONCRETE BARRIER mark between 1998 and 2007. The mere fact that other distributors in the industry use the Covertech mark does not undermine the Court's finding that Covertech is the exclusive user of the CONCRETE BARRIER mark.
Covertech asserts that TVM willfully copied Covertech's mark. As noted above, TVM disputes that it has used the CONCRETE BARRIER mark since it ended its exclusive distribution relationship with Covertech. Covertech states that as of May 1, 2013, TVM was selling products on the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website using the rFOIL, CONCRETE BARRIER, CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD marks. (ECF No. 97 at 25, citing Exs. 99, 78). The evidence cited by Covertech includes a product catalog that lists "Ultra CBF." (Ex. 69). Covertech states that "CBF" refers to CONCRETE BARRIER Foil. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 52:19-23, 53:18-20). This assertion is supported by the Covertech marketing material introduced at trial which refers to "Ultra CBF CONCRETE BARRIER Foil." (Ex. 68). The Court finds that the names are sufficiently similar to warrant a finding that TVM was copying Covertech's mark.
Covertech also states that it introduced evidence at trial that TVM used Covertech's marks on TVM's website from 2009 to 2013. (ECF No. 97 at 25, citing ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 93:5-94:20; Exs. 19, 67, 87. 93). TVM denies that it has used the CONCRETE BARRIER mark since it ended its exclusive distribution relationship with Covertech. (ECF No. 96 at 55). TVM asserts that it takes care to ensure that the mark is not used on any of its packaging or labels used to send product to its customers, and that it has instructed its customers to ensure that they are not using the CONCRETE BARRIER mark. (Id.). TVM claims that it is not responsible for the use of the CONCRETE BARRIER mark on the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website, as it is a website of a third party over which TVM has no control. (Id.). Further, TVM asserted at trial that it if it discovered that one of its customers was still using the CONCRETE BARRIER mark, it instructed the customer
The Court has already discussed TVM's control over the www.tvmvbuildingproducts.com website in its discussion of the rFOIL mark. Contrary to Defendant's assertion, the Court finds that Defendant did have control over the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website. TVM was able to dictate what was and was not put on the website. The Court finds that the website printouts are evidence of the fact of TVM's copying of the CONCRETE BARRIER mark. The fourth factor therefore favors Covertech.
The fifth factor is neutral, as neither party submitted customer surveys on the question.
Regarding the sixth factor, customer testimony, Covertech's customer Dan Higgins testified that he associated CONCRETE BARRIER with Covertech. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 107:5-7). In addition, Covertech salespeople testified about customer confusion regarding TVM's use of Covertech marks. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 135:8-137:5). The Court finds that the Covertech salespeople were credible. Covertech has introduced sufficient evidence of customer testimony to support a finding that customers associate Covertech with CONCRETE BARRIER. In addition, Covertech's evidence established the effect that TVM's use of the CONCRETE BARRIER mark had on customers who associated the CONCRETE BARRIER mark with Covertech. This factor favors Covertech.
Covertech presented evidence at trial that it had advertised its CONCRETE BARRIER product in trade journals, namely in the September and October 1999 issues of Rural Builder magazine. (Exs.G, I). TVM subsequently advertised the mark in the May 2000 issue of Rural Builder magazine. (Ex. J). TVM claims that it was the entity that used the mark in trade journals in the United States from 1998 until the end of the Agreement in 2007. (ECF No. 96 at 59). However, other than the May 2000 Rural Builder magazine advertisement, TVM did not offer other evidence of any other advertisements in trade magazines.
The eighth and ninth factors consider the size of the company and the number of sales. Mr. Starr testified that Covertech had a large factory in Canada and that it had sold millions of dollars of products throughout the United States using the CONCRETE BARRIER mark since at least as early as 1998. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 74:2-4). TVM counters that TVM has greater influence in the United States than in Canada, because Covertech had no presence there until after the agreement ended. (ECF No. 96 at 59). TVM also claims that the number of sales of TVM and Covertech are somewhat equivalent because Covertech did not have any sales in the United States until after the agreement ended. (ECF No. 96 at 59). The fact that Covertech initially sold only to TVM under the exclusive distribution agreement to distribute its product within the United States does not diminish the Court's finding that Covertech is a large company that sells a large amount of product in the United States. This factor favors Covertech.
The tenth factor considers the number of customers. Covertech asserts that it
Finally, the eleventh factor considers evidence of actual confusion. The confusion among customers was already considered above. TVM claims that the only evidence of actual confusion occurred seven years ago at Willow Springs, and that Covertech presented no evidence at trial of the label to which Mr. Higgins referred during his testimony. (ECF No. 96 at 59). The Willow Springs incident involved CONCRETE UNDERPAD, rather than CONCRETE BARRIER product. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 100:2-14). Covertech relies primarily on statements made by its salespeople regarding confusion among customers. Mr. Orologio testified for Covertech that its customers were being confused by TVM's actions, and that it was a "battle" to ensure that customers understood they were no longer buying Covertech product. (ECF No. 90, Trial Tr., at 242:18-22). Covertech's employee Peter Clarke also testified to confusion among Can-Cell, a company that had been informed by Mike Boulding that it could use Covertech's product numbers to sell TVM's products. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 40:6-19). Mr. Clarke testified that every time a customer is confused about the product, he sends them a press release about TVM's unauthorized use of Covertech marks and product numbers, and that he uses it "all the time." (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 42:23-44:13). The Court found above that Covertech's salespeople's testimony was credible. The Court is satisfied that Covertech has presented sufficient evidence of instances of actual confusion among customers.
Covertech has satisfied the Court that it is a large company that extensively advertised its CONCRETE BARRIER product. Further, Covertech has sold its product in interstate commerce since 1998. The length of time, size of the company and extent of advertising support a finding of secondary meaning. The Court recognizes that Covertech did not present any direct testimony by customers of evidence of actual confusion regarding the CONCRETE BARRIER mark. Mr. Higgins, however, testified that he associates CONCRETE BARRIER with Covertech. Considering the factors as a whole, the Court finds that Covertech's salespeople presented credible testimony regarding actual confusion, and that the CONCRETE BARRIER mark has acquired secondary meaning in the minds of customers.
Next, the Court must examine the likelihood of confusion. The Court's discussion above regarding the fact of copying in the context of determining secondary meaning is also applicable to the present discussion.
The Court finds that the degree of similarity factor favors Covertech. At trial, Covertech presented evidence suggesting the degree of similarity between Covertech and TVM product. Exhibit 67 lists the "ULTRA CBF CONCRETE BARRIER Foil." The image is from a website called www.tvmbuildingproducts.com. TVM asserts that it does not control the website,
Regarding the strength of the owner's mark, the Court finds that the mark is only moderately conceptually strong because it is descriptive. The name conveys the characteristics of the product, namely a barrier to be placed under concrete. Since the Court finds the mark to be descriptive and has determined that it has acquired secondary meaning, it is a protectable mark. See A & H Sportswear, Inc., 237 F.3d at 222. The Court finds the mark to be commercially strong because of its recognition among customers and its wide advertisement, which the Court already discussed above in connection with the mark's secondary meaning. Covertech has used the mark in interstate commerce since about 1998, and has been using it continuously in the United States since then. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 66:25-67:7). Mr. Starr also testified that Covertech has been selling millions of dollars of CONCRETE BARRIER product. (Id. at 74:2-4). The Court is satisfied that the mark is commercially strong based on Covertech's extensive sales and advertisements.
The next factor considers the price of the goods. Mr. Starr testified for Covertech that a typical roll of rFOIL products costs $70 to $120. He further testified that Covertech does not sell individual rolls, but rather sells by the truckload, each of which costs $20,000 to $30,000. (Id. at 47:1-11). This factor favors Covertech.
Regarding the length of time TVM has used the mark without evidence of actual confusion arising, the Court notes that Mr. Starr, Mr. Orologio and Mr. Clarke each testified about customers' confusion in the marketplace regarding product names. Covertech claims that the confusion was immediate and that Mr. Clarke, Mr. Starr and Mr. Orologio had to clear it up. (ECF No. 97 at 67). The Court already discussed instances of actual confusion in its discussion of secondary meaning. The Court has determined that the Covertech employees were credible in this matter, and that the testimony on this issue is sufficient to find that actual confusion arose soon after TVM started using the product. This factor therefore favors Covertech.
With regard to factor five, the intent of the defendant, the Court finds that TVM willfully misappropriated the CONCRETE BARRIER mark. This conclusion is
The sixth factor requires the Court to consider evidence of actual confusion. The Court finds the testimony by Covertech's salespeople to be credible, and that Covertech provided sufficient evidence of actual confusion in the marketplace. The instances of actual confusion were already discussed by the Court above in its discussion of secondary meaning. This factor therefore favors Covertech.
With regard to factors seven to ten, the Court finds that the same considerations apply here as apply to the rFOIL mark. Covertech and TVM market through the same channels of trade, target the same market, there is a strong relationship of the goods in the minds of customers, and customers would have reason to believe that Covertech had expanded into TVM's market.
For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that Covertech presented sufficient evidence of likelihood of confusion among customers. The strongest pieces of evidence provided by Covertech are the testimony by its employees regarding confusion in the marketplace and the printouts from the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website. In light of the Court's determination that Covertech's employees were credible witnesses, the Court finds the evidence sufficient to establish likelihood of confusion.
Covertech has satisfied the three factors necessary to establish a claim for trademark infringement of its CONCRETE BARRIER trademark, and TVM is found to be liable to Covertech therefor.
The Court may find that a trademark owner has impliedly consented to another to use its name or mark. "`The doctrine of acquiescence applies when the trademark owner, by affirmative word or deed, conveys its implied consent to another' to use its name or mark." Zurco, Inc. v. Sloan Valve Co., 785 F.Supp.2d 476, 501 (W.D.Pa.2011), quoting Pappan Enterprises, Inc. v. Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., 143 F.3d 800, 804 (3rd Cir.1998). There is no indication here that Covertech impliedly consented to TVM's use of its mark. Thus, the Court finds that the doctrine of acquiescence is inapplicable here.
Federal trademark infringement and federal unfair competition are measured by identical standards. A & H Sportswear Inc., 237 F.3d at 210. To prove either form of Lanham Act violation, a plaintiff must demonstrate that (1) it has a valid and legally protectable mark; (2) it owns the mark; and (3) the defendant's use of the mark to identify goods or services causes a likelihood of confusion. Id. (citing Commerce Nat'l Ins. Servs., Inc., 214 F.3d at 437). The plaintiff bears the burden of proof. Id. at 210-211. Validity depends on secondary meaning. See E.T. Browne Drug Co., 538 F.3d at 199. Just as in a trademark infringement claim, the Court must apply the eleven-factor test to determine secondary meaning. See id. (citing Commerce Nat'l Ins. Servs., 214 F.3d at 438). The Court must also consider the ten-factor test for likelihood of confusion.
Covertech asserts that it made the NT RADIANT BARRIER and ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER marks and has been using them in interstate commerce since at least as early as 2003. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 106: 7-17, 13:10-24). Covertech also references invoices that show that Covertech sold ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER product to TVM in both the United States and Canada in 2003. (Ex. 5). TVM counters that a sale to one distributor does not constitute a sale in interstate commerce. (ECF No. 101 at ¶ 4).
TVM states that it holds the registration of NT RADIANT BARRIER and ULTRA NT SCIF, that it created the marks for use in commerce as early as 2001, and that it was the first to use those marks in commerce in the United States. (ECF No. 96 at 71). Pursuant to an application filed by TVM on March 30, 2011 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") which was added to the principal register on January 16, 2012, TVM is the registered owner of the trademark "ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER." (ECF No. 96 at 2, citing Joint Stipulation, ECF No. 79).
Covertech notes that it is not asserting that TVM misused the NT RADIANT BARRIER mark, but only the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. (ECF No. 100 at ¶ 413). Covertech does not dispute that TVM owns the ULTRA NT SCIF BARRIER mark (ECF No. 100 at ¶ 409), but claims that there is no evidence that TVM owns the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. (Id. at ¶ 410). Covertech argues that TVM is wrong to assert that it is the owner of the trademark since Covertech has been selling ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER at least since 2003, and in 2006 TVM was selling Covertech's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER. (ECF No. 97 at 33).
In response to Covertech's claim, TVM argues that since the end of the agreement, TVM has always used "T" or "TVM" before any use of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER or ULTRA NT SCIF BARRIER, thereby distinguishing its product from that of any other seller. (ECF No. 96 at 73). TVM also asserts that at the time when the United States Government accepted the ULTRA NT SCIF BARRIER product in 2000, Covertech was not manufacturing the product, but was buying the product from some other company and supplying it to TVM, its only customer in the United States. (ECF No. 96 at 71).
Since Covertech did not register the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark, ownership must be proven by continuous use in commerce. The first party to adopt a trademark can assert ownership rights, provided it continuously uses it in commerce. Ford Motor Co., 930 F.2d at 292.
As the Court already noted above, a distributor may own the trademark in goods it does not manufacture. Premier Dental Products Co. v. Darby Dental Supply Co., 794 F.2d 850, 853 (3d Cir.1986). "The decisive question is not who manufactured the article sold under a given trademark, but which business or article is symbolized by it." Id. (citing Callmann, Unfair Competition, Trademark and Monopolies § 17 (4th ed., 1981). "The ownership of a trademark as between a manufacturer and an exclusive distributor is largely determined by the parties' agreement." Id. (citing Model Rectifier Corp. v. Takachiho International, Inc., 220 U.S.P.Q. 508, 510 (C.D.Calif.1982), aff'd
Id. (internal citations and quotations omitted). "[W]hile the identity of the party exercising day-to-day control over the quality of a product is often relevant to trademark analysis, it is not essential that one perform this function to own a trademark." Id. at 856. One need not manufacture a product to possess goodwill in it. Id. "[I]t has been consistently held that if an exclusive distributor is known as the exclusive domestic source and as the one who stands behind the product in this country, it may own and enforce the trademark." Id. (citations omitted).
The Court finds that Covertech is the owner of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. Covertech's employees' testimony has satisfied the Court that Covertech sold the mark as early as 2003 and has been selling it in interstate commerce since then. Initially the sale was made to TVM as Covertech's exclusive distributor. However, the Court finds the sales since 2003 to have been sufficiently public to warrant a finding that Covertech has sold the product in interstate commerce since 2003. Covertech has therefore established ownership of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark.
Where a mark has not been federally registered or has not achieved incontestability, validity depends on proof of secondary meaning, unless the unregistered contestable mark is inherently distinctive. See Ford Motor Co., 930 F.2d at 291. The Court must look to secondary meaning here because the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark is not incontestable. Secondary meaning requires consideration of the eleven-factor test laid out above. Id.
Regarding the extent of sales and advertising, Covertech presented to the Court that it has extensively advertised its ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER product since 2003 throughout the United States. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 82:16-19). Covertech also presented evidence of marketing material that mentions ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER. (Exs. 6, 9, 66, 81, and 113). Exhibit 6 is a brochure stating "What Every Builder Should Know about rFOIL Insulation Products." The brochure lists ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER rFOIL and bears Covertech's logo. It also states "represented by TVM." Exhibit 9 is an application manual listing ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER for SCIF's, which also bears Covertech's logo. Exhibit 66 is a printout from www.rFOIL.com about "ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER — (SCIF's)."
Regarding the length of use, Covertech introduced receipts from 2003 as evidence that it had used the mark in the United States as early as 2003. (Ex. 5). Though Covertech initially used TVM as its exclusive distributor, the Court finds the sales receipts to be sufficient to establish that Covertech began to use the mark in 2003 and continues to use it to this day.
Mr. Starr testified that Covertech makes known to the industry that if customers want to buy ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, they can go to another distributor, Ecofoil, to buy it. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 174:24-125:6). According to Mr. Starr and Mr. Clarke, all other uses of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark on the internet were either authorized uses or were unauthorized uses by TVM or one of TVM's distributors or suppliers. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 218:13-17; ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 46:18-49:5). The Court finds that the exclusivity of use factor favors Covertech, and that Covertech has provided a credible explanation for the use of its mark by other distributors. The Court finds that Covertech has exclusively used the mark since 2003, and that any uses by other distributors were authorized by Covertech.
Regarding the fact of copying, Covertech asserts that TVM improperly used Covertech's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER from 2010 to 2013, despite being aware that Covertech had used the mark with its products long before then. (ECF No. 97 at ¶ 134, citing ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 105:24-106:6; Ex. 5). Covertech introduced evidence at trial to support its assertion that TVM had used Covertech's marks on TVM's website from 2009 to 2013. (Exs. 19, 87). Exhibit 87 is a printout from TVM's official website, www.tvmi.com, listing "NT Radiant Barrier" and "Ultra NT Radiant Barrier."
Covertech also states that it presented evidence of improper use. (ECF No. 97 at ¶ 134, citing Exs. 11, 17, 19, 69, 70, 72, 84, 87). Exhibit 11 is the mark information for TVM's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER registration. Exhibit 17 is a printout from www.blueridgecompany.com, listing "TVM ULTRA NO-TEAR (NT) Radiant Barrier." Exhibit 69 is a TVM product catalog listing "TVM Standard NT Radiant Barrier for Attics." Exhibit 70 is a TVM product catalog listing "TVM Ultra NT — SCIF Barrier." Exhibit 72 is a printout from www.tvmi.com with information about the Ultra NT Radiant Barrier. Exhibit 74 is a TVM Technical Data Sheet for Ultra NT Radiant Barrier. Exhibit 84 contains a photocopy of a sample of Standard NT Radiant Barrier.
According to Covertech, other than in connection with TVM's distribution of Covertech
TVM counters that it could not have improperly used the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark because TVM owns it and registered it with the USPTO (Ex. 11), and TVM created and developed the mark. (ECF No. 101 at ¶ 38). Further, TVM states that Exhibit 67 does not show TVM's website, but rather a third party website, and that the only use on TVM's actual website is of those marks TVM created, developed and registered. (ECF No. 101 at ¶ 39).
The Court finds that Covertech created the mark and began to use it in 2003. The fact that TVM subsequently registered the mark with the USPTO does not displace the Court's finding that Covertech is the rightful owner of ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER. The Court finds Covertech's witnesses to be credible, and that Covertech presented sufficient evidence to find that TVM copied the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark.
Neither party presented evidence of customer surveys. This factor is therefore neutral.
The sixth factor considers customer testimony. Covertech's customer, Dan Higgins of Willow Springs, testified that he associated ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER with Covertech. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 107:2-12). Covertech also presented testimony by its salespeople, Mr. Clarke and Mr. Myers, regarding interactions with customers in the market who associate ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER with Covertech. (ECF No. 97 at 71).
TVM has presented no evidence in support of its assertion that customers associated the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark with TVM. In contrast, Covertech presented persuasive evidence in the form of testimony by Dan Higgins of Willow Springs and Covertech's salespeople regarding strong customer association. Thus, the Court finds that the customer testimony factor favors Covertech.
Factors seven and eight, regarding the use of the mark in trade journals, the size of the company, and the number of sales, have already been considered with regard to rFOIL and CONCRETE BARRIER, and also favor Covertech. Regarding the number of sales, Mr. Starr stated that Covertech had made millions of dollars of sales of the product, especially because of the specification for use in government buildings. (ECF No. 97 at 71). The Court finds that this factor also favors Covertech.
The Court's same findings above regarding the number of sales also apply here. The number of sales factor favors Covertech.
The tenth factor requires the Court to consider the number of customers. Covertech argues that the evidence at trial established that Covertech had a significant number of potential and existing customers because its ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER was specified for use in the construction of SCIF facilities in federal buildings. (ECF No. 97 at 71). The Court is satisfied that Covertech had a large number of customers based on its salespeople's testimony.
Finally, the Court must look at evidence of actual confusion. Mr. Clarke and Mr. Starr testified for Covertech that customers believed they could get the product through TVM. (ECF No. 97 at ¶ 361). TVM states that since the end of the agreement with Covertech it has always used "T" or "TVM" before any use of the Ultra NT Radiant Barrier or Ultra NT SCIF Barrier, thus distinguishing TVM product from that of any other seller. (ECF No. 96 at 73). Covertech did not present any direct testimony by customers regarding instances of actual confusion. However, the Court finds that Covertech's salespeople were credible in presenting to the Court that there were instances of actual confusion among customers. The Court does not find that TVM's use of "TVM" or "T" before the product names was sufficient to dispel the actual confusion caused by TVM's use of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. This factor also favors Covertech.
The Court finds that Covertech presented sufficient evidence to support a finding that the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark has acquired secondary meaning in the minds of its customers. TVM has no basis to support its claim that customers associate the mark with TVM other than its own testimony at trial. While the Court has found Covertech's salespeople to be credible, it has not found TVM's employees to be credible overall. Covertech presented evidence by Mr. Higgins and its own salespeople that there is strong customer association between Covertech and ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER. In addition, Covertech presented sufficient evidence to establish that it had created the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. The Court therefore finds that the mark has acquired secondary meaning in the minds of customers.
The Court must next consider the ten-factor test to determine likelihood of confusion among customers.
The first factor of the likelihood of confusion analysis is the degree of similarity between the owner's mark and the alleged infringing mark. The Court notes that TVM identifies its products by using "T" or "TVM" before any of its ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER or ULTRA NT SCIF BARRIER products. Despite this minor difference in mark, the Court finds the marks used by Covertech and TVM to be largely identical.
The Court finds that the mark should be classified as suggestive, because the word "ultra" conveys something strong and durable, and "radiant barrier" itself is a descriptive mark. The mark is therefore eligible for trademark protection. The mark is commercially strong because Covertech has extensively advertised it (Exs. 6, 9). The Court already discussed Covertech's advertising efforts in its above section on secondary meaning. The testimony presented by Covertech at trial supports a finding that the mark was well-known by consumers in the reflective insulation market. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 107:2-12). Covertech states that it has used the mark since about 2003, that it has advertised its ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER for years, and that it has achieved extensive sales. (ECF No. 97 at 73). The Court finds Covertech's testimony to be credible on all points. The mark
The third factor, namely the price of goods and other factors indicating care and attention, has already been discussed above with regard to rFOIL and CONCRETE BARRIER. Covertech sells its goods at a high price. The high price suggests that customers exercise a high degree of care in choosing their product.
Covertech argues that TVM's use of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark is also causing confusion because when contractors see the specification, and they look for it online, they see that they can get it from TVM and Covertech loses the sale and the customer does not receive a product made by Covertech. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 209:14-213:1). Covertech asserts that as soon as TVM started using ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, customers were confused. While TVM claims to have developed the mark and started using it as early as 2001, Covertech states that it began to use the mark in 2003. Covertech supported its assertion with testimony by its salespeople. The Court finds sufficient evidence to establish that Covertech was the first to use the mark and that actual confusion arose soon after TVM began using the mark. The Court finds insufficient evidence to support TVM's assertion that it began to use the mark earlier than Covertech did. This factor therefore favors Covertech.
Factor five, the intent of the Defendant in adopting the mark, equally favors Covertech. The Court finds that TVM intentionally adopted the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark, knowing that Covertech had initially used it in the market. The Court is not persuaded that TVM was the creator of the mark.
Covertech presented general instances of confusion among customers about the origin of TVM and Covertech product. Covertech's Vice President, John Starr, noted that the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark was causing confusion among contractors who see that they can get the specification both from TVM and Covertech. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 209:14-213:1). The Court finds this testimony to be sufficient evidence of actual confusion among Covertech's customers.
Factor seven considers whether the products are marketed through the same channels of trade, factor eight considers whether the targets of the sales' efforts are the same, factor nine considers the relationship of the goods in the minds of customers, and factor ten considers others facts that would make customers think that Covertech had expanded into TVM's market. The evidence at trial establishes that TVM and Covertech target the same customers, that they are marketed through the same channels, that they serve similar functions, and that the public might therefore assume that Covertech might have expanded into the owner's mark. Mr. Starr testified for Covertech that Covertech was and is trying to sell its products in the same market and to the same customers as TVM. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 133:25-134:5). Given the fact that TVM previously acted as Covertech's distributor, customers might not know that the relationship between them had ended and might therefore think that Covertech had expanded into TVM's market. The same considerations as applied in the
Based on all of the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that Covertech has established a likelihood of confusion regarding TVM's use of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark.
Based on the above factors, the Court finds that Covertech has succeeded in establishing an unfair competition claim against TVM. Covertech has established that it initially used the mark in interstate commerce in 2003 and has been continuously using it since then. The mark has acquired secondary meaning in the minds of customers due to extensive advertising and customer association. This fact was established both by Dan Higgins' testimony and Covertech's own salespeople's testimony. TVM failed to produce evidence that customers associated ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER with TVM. The fact that TVM now uses "T" or "TVM" in front of "ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER" does not dispel the confusion. Further, as the Court will discuss below, TVM fraudulently obtained its registration of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. Covertech has established likelihood of confusion based on the strong similarity of the products, the instances of actual confusion among customers, and the fact that the product is marketed by TVM and Covertech through the same channels of trade. For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that TVM is liable to Covertech for unfair competition.
In order to prevail on its federal unfair competition claim regarding (ULTRA) CONCRETE UNDERPAD, Covertech must establish the same elements as above.
Where a trademark is not registered, ownership may be established by first and continuous use in the market. According to John Starr, Covertech has been using the CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD marks in in interstate commerce since about 2003 or 2004. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 53:10-24, 83:11-13). He also stated that Covertech had been using the CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark continuously throughout the United States since then and still uses it today. (Id. at 83:23-25). The Court finds Mr. Starr's testimony regarding ownership and first use to be credible. Covertech has succeeded in establishing ownership of this mark through first and continuous use in interstate commerce.
Since the mark has not reached the status of being indisputable, the Court must look to secondary meaning.
Covertech presented the technical data sheet for ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD at trial. (Ex. 10). Covertech also introduced samples of its ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD product. (Exs. 118, 119). Covertech presented evidence that it has been using the mark since about 2003 or 2004, and that the marks have been associated with Covertech since then. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 53:10-24, 83:11-13). Mr. Higgins' testimony regarding his association of CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE
The Court is also satisfied that the length of use element has been established here. According to Covertech's salespeople, which the Court has deemed to be credible, Covertech began to use the ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark in 2003 or 2004, and continues to use it today.
Regarding factor three, the exclusivity of use, TVM claims that it sold the product under this mark for approximately 10 years prior to termination of the exclusivity agreement and continued to sell for seven years thereafter. (ECF No. 96 at 65). TVM also asserts that it created the mark under the TVM name and that TVM has continued to use it since then (Id.). TVM further states that a number of members of the insulation and construction industries use the mark. (Id.). Despite TVM's assertions, the Court finds that Covertech was the exclusive user of the ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark, and that any use of the mark was either authorized by Covertech or unauthorized use by TVM or one of its distributors.
The fourth factor considers the fact of copying. Covertech claims that as of May 1, 2014, TVM was selling products on the www.tvmbuildingproducts.com website using CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD marks. (ECF No. 97 at 25, citing Exs. 99, 78). Exhibit 78 is a printout from www.tvmbuildingproducts.com that specifically mentions ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD. Covertech has cited Exhibits 67, 69, 70, 84, 87, 93, 96 and 103 as evidence of improper use. (ECF No. 97 at 25). Exhibit 67 is a printout from www.tvmbuildingproducts.com listing ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD and CONCRETE UNDERPAD. Exhibit 69 is a TVM product catalog listing ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD and CONCRETE UNDERPAD. Exhibit 70 is a TVM product catalog listing "TVM Ultra Concrete Underpad" and "TVM Concrete Underpad." Exhibit 84 contains photocopies of an HVAC Insulation Sample Kit, including a TVM Concrete Underpad sample and a page listing information about Concrete Underpad. Exhibit 87 is a printout from www.tvmi.com listing ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD. Exhibit 93, already discussed above, is also a printout from www.tvmi.com with information about CONCRETE UNDERPAD. Exhibit 96 is a printout from www.tvmuildingproducts.com with information about Concrete Underpad. Exhibit 103 is an HVAC Price List (USA) including prices for ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD and CONCRETE UNDERPAD. All of this evidence supports a finding that TVM copied the CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark. This factor favors Covertech.
Neither party presented customer surveys. Thus, this factor remains neutral.
Factor six further supports a finding of secondary meaning regarding CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD. Mr. Higgins of Willow Springs testified that he associates CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD with Covertech.
The evidence offered at trial regarding Covertech's use of the mark in trade journals was already considered above with regard to Covertech's other marks. This factor favors Covertech.
Regarding the number of sales, the number of customers, and the size of the company, Covertech testified that it had successfully sold the product, resulting in millions of dollars of sales. Covertech testified that it sells to a number of customers in the market. The same discussion that applied to Covertech's sales and customers of rFOIL, CONCRETE BARRIER and ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER also applies here.
Regarding instances of actual confusion, Dan Higgins' testimony provided evidence of an instance of actual confusion in a customer. He testified that he was confused when he purchased rFOIL CONCRETE UNDERPAD from TVM which was dissimilar to what he had seen during a tour of the Covertech plant. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 98:13-99:19, 100:2-102:23). He sent the product to Covertech for inspection, which confirmed that it was not Covertech product. (Id. at 100:20-102:13).
Covertech's salespeople also testified about an incident involving Worldwide Plumbing wherein Worldwide Plumbing called Mr. Clarke for a quote on CONCRETE UNDERPAD. (ECF No. 88, Trial Tr., at 38:5-39:17). The customer informed Mr. Clarke that it had received a quote for the exact same product name and number form TVM that was less expensive. (Id.). Mr. Clarke had to explain who TVM was and that product from TVM was not manufactured by Covertech. (Id.). The Court finds that Covertech has presented sufficient evidence of instances of actual confusion.
All of the above considerations support a finding that CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD have acquired secondary meaning in the minds of customers. Covertech has established that it was the first to use the mark. Further, Covertech provided persuasive evidence of customer association in the form of testimony by Dan Higgins, who also testified to an instance of actual confusion involving the CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark. For all these reasons, the Court finds that Covertech has established secondary meaning among customers.
TVM claims that if CONCRETE UNDERPAD is protectable, it is owned by TVM. (ECF No. 96 at 66). TVM also notes that it exercised control over the quality of the product, that TVM was looked to by customers as standing behind the goods, and that TVM received customer complaints. (Id.). TVM argues that any use of the product is fair use anyway. (Id.).
The Court is not persuaded by any of TVM's arguments. While TVM acted as the marketing arm for Covertech, customers nonetheless associated the CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark with Covertech. TVM provided the Court with no convincing evidence to suggest otherwise.
Covertech claims that the marks are identical. (ECF No. 97 at 76). TVM
The second factor considers the strength of the owner's mark. The Court finds that the CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark is descriptive, as it describes the product. Since the mark is descriptive, it is capable of trademark protection. While conceding that the mark is descriptive and therefore only moderately conceptually strong, Covertech argues that the mark is commercially strong because Covertech has been using the mark since the early 2000s, it has extensively advertised the mark since then, it has achieved extensive sales and the marks are well-known. (ECF No. 97 at 77). TVM argues that the mark is not a strong one because Concrete Underpad is a generic mark for a category of product, namely a pad that is put under concrete. (ECF No. 96 at 65). The same considerations that led the Court to find that the mark had acquired secondary meaning also support a finding that CONCRETE UNDERPAD is a commercially strong mark. The mark has been advertised and sold by Covertech to an extent that has led to customer association. The Court finds that this second factor favors Covertech because the mark is commercially strong.
The third factor was already discussed above with regard to the other marks. This factor favors Covertech.
Covertech provided evidence that the confusion among customers happened soon after TVM began to use the mark. Covertech gave specific instances in the form of testimony by Dan Higgins and testimony by Mr. Clarke. The Court finds that this factor favors Covertech.
The Court finds that this factor favors Covertech, as Covertech has established that the marks were identical, and that TVM had knowledge that Covertech used the CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark. The Court finds that TVM intentionally adopted the CONCRETE UNDERPAD mark, despite knowing that Covertech had created the mark.
Factor six considers evidence of actual confusion. As the Court noted above in its discussion of secondary meaning, Covertech presented evidence of actual confusion among customers in the form of testimony by Dan Higgins of Willow Springs and Covertech's Mr. Clarke. The Court has determined Mr. Higgins to be credible. The testimony was persuasive evidence of actual confusion among customers.
The above discussion regarding factors seven to ten of the likelihood of confusion analysis for Covertech's rFOIL, CONCRETE BARRIER and ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER marks are also applicable here.
For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that Covertech has established a likelihood of confusion among customers regarding CONCRETE UNDERPAD and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD. Covertech has established the strong similarity of products, and that there is evidence of actual confusion among customers.
Having established all of the elements of a federal unfair competition claim, the Court finds that TVM is liable to Covertech for federal unfair competition.
Common law liability for unfair competition, including trademark infringement, is governed by local law, though federal law serves as persuasive authority. Pennsylvania State Univ. v. Univ. Orthopedics, Ltd., 706 A.2d 863, 870 (Pa.Super.Ct.1998) (internal citations omitted). As with federal law, the common law of trademarks is a portion of the broader law of unfair competition. Id. The action for unfair competition exists separate and apart from any statutory rights which the owner of the trademark possesses. Id. The underlying principle of law of unfair competition is to prevent substitution by deception. Id.
"The law of unfair competition also requires that a company, entering a field already occupied by a rival of established reputation, `must do nothing which will unnecessarily create or increase confusion between his goods or business and the goods or business of the rival.'" Id. at 870-871 (citations omitted). A party may enjoin the trading on another's business reputation by use of deceptive selling practices or other means on the grounds of unfair competition. Id. If the particular use is reasonably likely to produce confusion in the public mind, equity will restrain the unfair practice and compel an accounting of the profits gained thereby. Id. (citations omitted).
As with federal law, descriptive, geographical and generic words, as well as words of common or general usage belong to the public and are not capable of exclusive appropriation. Id. (citing Golden Slipper Square Club v. Golden Slipper Restaurant & Catering, Inc., 371 Pa. 92, 88 A.2d 734, 736 (1952)). However, a competitor's use of a name, label, symbol or trademark may be enjoined where the mark has acquired a secondary meaning. Id. (citing Zimmerman v. Holiday Inns of America, Inc., 438 Pa. 528, 266 A.2d 87, 90 (1970)). In order to establish secondary meaning, it must be shown that people in the trade or the purchasing public perceives the word or name as standing for the business of a particular company. Id.
"A generic term, even where it has developed a secondary meaning, is never granted trademark protection. Nonetheless, an action for unfair competition on the basis of a likelihood of confusion may still lie." Id. (citations omitted).
The Pennsylvania common law tort of unfair competition is coextensive with the Lanham Act, except for the federal requirement of interstate commerce, where a plaintiff's claim focuses on a defendant's appropriation of the plaintiff's "mark" "with the intent of falsely linking the defendant's product with the plaintiff and capitalizing on the plaintiff's goodwill." Giordano v. Claudio, 714 F.Supp.2d 508, 521 (E.D.Pa.2010) (citations omitted).
"Pennsylvania common law traditionally defines unfair competition as the `passing off' of a rival's goods as one's own, creating
The Pennsylvania common law tort of unfair competition is coextensive with the definition set forth in the Restatement (Third) of Unfair Competition. Id. However, the term may not be construed "as a virtual catch-all for any form of wrongful business conduct" or to "include all forms of modern business torts." Id. (citing USX Corp. v. Adriatic Ins. Co., 99 F.Supp.2d 593, 619 (W.D.Pa.2000)).
TVM notes that Covertech's common law unfair competition claim is essentially a duplication of its unfair competition and trademark infringement claims under the Lanham Act. (ECF No. 96 at 74). Thus, TVM argues that Covertech's claims of common law unfair competition also fail for the same reasons that their federal unfair competition claims fail. (Id. at 75). Covertech, on the other hand, argues that its claim should succeed because it has proven that all of its marks, including rFOIL, CONCRETE BARRIER, CONCRETE UNDERPAD, ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, have acquired secondary meaning in the minds of consumers. (ECF No. 97 at 79). Covertech argues that even if the marks are considered to be generic, Covertech is still entitled to recover on its unfair competition claim in light of the high likelihood of confusion in this case because TVM used the same product names and numbers. (Id.).
Since the Pennsylvania common law tort of unfair competition is coextensive with federal unfair competition under the Lanham Act, the Court finds that the same analysis as above should apply here. The Court found above that Covertech had made out its claims under federal law, and the Court therefore finds here that Covertech has sufficiently established its state law claims of unfair competition as well. The Court finds in favor of Covertech on this count.
§ 1117 of the Lanham Act provides for the relief available to a Plaintiff who successfully asserts a trademark infringement or unfair competition claim:
15 U.S.C. § 1117(a).
An "exceptional" case is simply one that stands out from others with respect to the substantive strength of a party's litigating position (considering both the governing law and the facts of the case) or the unreasonable manner in which the case was litigated. See Fair Wind Sailing, Inc. v. Dempster, 764 F.3d 303, 314 (3d Cir.2014). It is thus within a court's discretion to find a case "exceptional" based upon the governing law and the facts of the case, irrespective of whether the losing party is culpable. Id. Whether litigation positions or litigation tactics are "exceptional" enough to merit attorneys' fees must be determined by the district courts "in the case-by-case exercise of their discretion, considering the totality of the circumstances." Id. (citing Octane Fitness, 134 S.Ct. at 1756). That discretion is not cabined by a threshold requirement that the losing party acted culpably, though the losing party's blameworthiness may well play a role. See id.
The statute further provides that:
15 U.S.C. § 1117(b).
Covertech introduced TVM sales figures from 2009 to 2013 evidencing TVM sales in the metal building industry in the amount of $5,791,927. The metal building industry uses rFOIL products such as CONCRETE BARRIER, CONCRETE UNDERPAD, and ULTRA CONCRETE UNDERPAD.
Covertech is entitled to recover TVM's profits. 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a)(1). To establish profits Covertech is only required to prove TVM's sale. 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a)(3). Once the sales figure is established, then the statute provides that Defendant must prove any costs or deductions from the amount. Id. Mr. Boulding asserted that his profit margin was around 30%. (ECF No. 89, Trial Tr., at 108:13-15). TVM has failed to introduce evidence to support this assertion, and the Court therefore determines that no cost or deduction has been proved.
The statute also provides for the award of statutory damages for the use of counterfeit marks in lieu of proved damages or profits for the use of counterfeit marks under 15 U.S.C. § 1117(b). The Court will assess damages by calculating an amount of damages or profits under 15 U.S.C. §§ 1117(a) and (b), and will then compare that amount to the amount of statutory damages that can be awarded under 15 U.S.C. § 1117(c).
The TVM sales data for the metal building industry introduced by Covertech establishes sales in the amount of
Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117(b), since this case involves TVM's intentional use of a counterfeit mark, knowing such mark to be a counterfeit mark, the Court is to enter judgment for three times the profits from such use, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Since, under the circumstances of this case, the Court is unable to determine which amount of the sales are attributable to the counterfeit rFOIL and CONCRETE BARRIER marks, it is unable to award three times such profits pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117(b) for use of a counterfeit mark. However, in exercising its discretion to award $4,054,349 in damages, the Court takes into account the fact that TVM willfully used a counterfeit mark by using rFOIL and CONCRETE BARRIER.
In addition, the Court awards 3% prejudgment interest on the award of $4,054,349, resulting in an amount of $268,920. The Court calculated this amount by using the period of May 28, 2013 to August 13, 2015.
The total amount of damages that the Court finds just under the circumstances of the case and pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a) is therefore $4,323,269.
Since Covertech elected the award of statutory damages in the event that such damages would be higher than the above-calculated damages, the Court will now consider the amount of statutory damages that can be awarded. The statute provides the following:
15 U.S.C. § 1117(c).
The Court found above that TVM had willfully used a counterfeit mark by using Covertech's rFOIL and CONCRETE BARRIER marks. The Court is unable to determine what amount of TVM's sales to the metal building industry is attributable to rFOIL and CONCRETE BARRIER. However, an award of statutory damages would be justified in this case. The Court may award up to $2,000,000 for rFOIL and CONCRETE BARRIER respectively, because the use of the counterfeit mark was willful pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117(c)(2), resulting in a total of $4,000,000.
The Court further assesses 3% prejudgment interest on the above amount. The total prejudgment interest for the time period between May 28, 2013 and August 13, 2015 is $265,261. The total amount that the Court may award under 15 U.S.C. § 1117(c) is therefore $4,265,315.
As noted above, Covertech requested that the Court award either damages pursuant
Regarding the sales of ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, the Court finds that 50% of TVM's sales figure of $369,014 shall be awarded in damages, resulting in an amount of $184,507. The Court finds this amount to be just under the circumstances of the case. In addition, the Court hereby awards 3% in prejudgment interest, resulting in an amount of $12,238.
The total amount of damages that the Court will award to Covertech for TVM's trademark infringement and unfair competition is $4,520,014.
The Court also finds that the manner in which TVM benefited from the reputation of Covertech's marks in the marketplace in order to promote its own mark makes this case stand out from others. See Fair Wind Sailing, Inc. v. Dempster, 764 F.3d 303, 314 (3d Cir.2014). Based on the exceptional nature of this case, the Court will consider Covertech's motion for attorney's fees in accordance with Rule 54 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Lanham Act. This motion may include any attorney's fees relating to Covertech's efforts to register the mark and to have TVM's registration of ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER cancelled.
The Lanham Act provides that any person who procures "registration in the Patent and Trademark Office of a mark by a false or fraudulent declaration or representation, oral or in writing, or by any false means, shall be liable in a civil action by any person injured thereby for any damages sustained in consequence thereof." 15 U.S.C. § 1120. "To demonstrate that a federal registration was fraudulently procured, ... a challenging party must adduce evidence that the registrant actually knew or believed that someone else had a right to the mark." Marshak v. Treadwell, 240 F.3d 184, 196 (3d Cir.2001) (citations omitted).
A third party may petition to cancel a registered trademark on the ground that the "registration was obtained fraudulently." In re Bose Corp., 580 F.3d 1240, 1243 (Fed.Cir.2009), citing 15 U.S.C. § 1064(3).
Id. (internal citations and quotations omitted). Mere negligence or gross negligence are not sufficient to infer fraud or dishonesty. See id. "[A] trademark is obtained fraudulently under the Lanham Act only if the applicant or registrant knowingly makes a false, material representation with the intent to deceive the PTO." Id. Subjective intent to deceive is an indispensable element in the analysis. Id.
Id. (internal citations omitted).
The registration at issue here is the application to register the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER trademark submitted by TVM on March 30, 2011. (ECF No. 97 at 85). Mr. Boulding submitted a declaration that he electronically signed on September 9, 2011 containing three relevant statements: (1) that TVM first used the mark in 2006; (2) that he believed that TVM was the owner of the mark; and (3) that he believed no one else had the right to use the mark. (Id.).
The Court found above that TVM had been buying ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER from Covertech at least as early as 2003. (Id.). This finding was based on invoices provided by Covertech showing TVM's purchases from Covertech. (Ex. 5). Thus, Mr. Boulding's first statement that TVM first used the mark in 2006 is clearly false. The Court refuses to lend credence to Defendant's suggestion that the incorrect year merely constituted a "typo." (ECF No. 96 at 75).
Additionally, Mr. Boulding's statement attested that he owned the mark. Defendant argues that this was a true statement because TVM created the marks ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER and ULTRA NT SCIF BARRIER, and was the first entity to use the marks in commerce in the United States. (ECF No. 96 at 76).
To establish prior use for a common law mark, distribution of the mark need not be wide-spread, but it must be of a public nature and more than de minimis. Lucent Info. Mgmt., Inc. v. Lucent Technologies, Inc., 186 F.3d 311, 319 (3d Cir. 1999) (citing Allard Enterprises, Inc. v. Advanced Programming Resources, Inc., 146 F.3d 350 (6th Cir.1998); Kathreiner's Malzkaffee Fabriken Mit Beschraenkter Haftung v. Pastor Kneipp Medicine Co., 82 F. 321 (7th Cir.1897) (common law rights obtained by foreign company which had sent five test shipments to companies and individuals in the United States)).
Covertech has satisfied the Court that its prior sale of ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER to TVM was of a public nature and establishes its ownership of the mark. Thus, the Court finds that Mr. Boulding's claim that he owned the mark on his trademark registration application was false. The Court also found above that Covertech had in fact developed and used the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER brand. (ECF No. 87, Trial Tr., at 106:7-17). Thus, the Court finds that Covertech was the actual owner of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark, and that Mr. Boulding's second statement in the application regarding ownership was false.
Finally, Mr. Boulding made a statement in his application that he believed that no one else had a right to use the mark. The Court also finds this statement to be false, since the Court's above conclusions establish that Covertech had a right to use the mark. In light of Mr. Boulding's prior interactions with Covertech, he must have known or believed that Covertech had a right to use the mark. See Marshak v. Treadwell, 240 F.3d at 196.
The Court finds that Mr. Boulding's testimony at trial on this issue was not credible. Though TVM claims that Mr. Boulding was merely mistaken when he provided incorrect information to the USPTO, the Court finds that Mr. Boulding's statements amounted to more than a simple oversight. Mr. Boulding signed a declaration specifically stating that he had read the application
The Court finds that TVM's ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER trademark was obtained fraudulently under the Lanham Act and that Mr. Boulding knowingly made a false, material representation with the intent to deceive the USPTO. TVM is therefore liable for fraud on the USPTO.
The Lanham Act gives the Court the power to address fraudulently obtained registrations, including the power to cancel the or otherwise rectify the registry at the USPTO:
15 U.S.C. § 1119.
The Court finds that the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark rightfully belongs to Covertech. The Court will therefore order the cancellation of TVM's registration of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark.
The Act further provides that when a mark was registered fraudulently, the registrant shall be liable for damages:
15 U.S.C. § 1120.
Covertech claims that TVM has breached the contract between the parties by failing to pay certain invoices for product that they purchased. An action for breach of contract requires proof of the following three elements:
See, e.g., CoreStates Bank v. Cutillo, 1999 PA Super 14, 723 A.2d 1053, 1058 (Pa.Super.1999); Gorski v. Smith, 812 A.2d 683, 692 (Pa.Super.Ct.2002).
"Under Pennsylvania law, the test for enforceability of an agreement is whether both parties have manifested an intention to be bound by its terms and whether the terms are sufficiently definite to be specifically enforced." Channel
The object of the inquiry is not the inner, subjective intent of the parties, but rather the intent a reasonable person would apprehend in considering the parties' behavior. See Am. Eagle Outfitters v. Lyle & Scott Ltd., 584 F.3d 575, 582 (3d Cir.2009) (citations omitted). Therefore, a true and actual meeting of the minds is not necessary to form a contract. See id.
The Court must determine whether or not the evidence presented at trial was sufficient to prove the existence of a contract between Covertech and TVM. In a number of instances testified to by Covertech's Christopher Szymanowski and set forth in Exhibit 40, TVM did not pay what it owed to Covertech after it had ordered and received the product. (ECF No. 91 at 96-97). Covertech claims that TVM is liable regarding unpaid invoices for a total of $228,305.17.
TVM denies that it is liable to Covertech for these unpaid invoices. TVM claims that under the agreement it had reached with Covertech, TVM was told not to pay any of the disputed invoices until the dispute was resolved. (ECF No. 96 at 77). TVM argues that "[m]uch, if not all of the product that has not been paid for by TVM was subject to disputes resulting from disagreements over warranty claims and credits." (Id.). TVM claims that it was in fact in compliance with the terms of that contract. (Id.). Covertech denies that TVM has established that Covertech owes it any money for the outstanding credit requests for warranty claims, and even if it had, that such claims are time-barred. (ECF No. 97 at 91).
The only evidence that TVM cites in support of the fact that it was not obligated to pay disputed invoices is testimony by Mr. Boulding at trial. TVM states that "[i]f TVM had any dispute with an invoice from Covertech, TVM was told by Covertech not to pay it, even if it was a $1.00. TVM was not to pay the invoice until the dispute was resolved. Normal practice would dictate just not paying the portion in dispute." (ECF No. 96 at 26, citing Vol. 4, Boulding, pg. 146). This is insufficient evidence to support a finding that this was in fact a part of the agreement between Covertech and TVM. Covertech's employees did not testify that such were the terms of the agreement.
Based on the evidence presented at trial, it is difficult for the Court to discern the precise terms of the agreement between Covertech and TVM. However, the Court finds that Covertech and TVM entered into an agreement whereby TVM would order reflective insulation from Covertech, which Covertech would ship to TVM and TVM would then pay for. The Court finds that TVM breached its duty by failing to pay Covertech for the product it received, and that Covertech suffered damage in the form of failing to receive the money it was owed in return for the product it shipped. Thus, TVM is liable to Covertech for breach of contract.
Mr. Boulding admitted at trial that TVM had not paid the invoices and he asserted that the amount owed to Covertech was offset by various credit requests submitted by TVM for warranty claims. The Court finds that TVM did not establish that Covertech
Covertech also asserts a claim for breach of contract on the basis that TVM failed to pay its agreed portion of settlements to resolve warranty claims for allegedly defective insulation submitted by Southern Structures, Acadian, Halpin's, and Marquis. (ECF No. 97 at 91). Although Mr. Boulding asserted that this amount was offset by a separate $15,000 claim that TVM allegedly paid, Covertech argues that TVM provided no information or documents to support that assertion. (Id.).
TVM counters that TVM and Covertech's agreement to both pay a percentage of all warranty claims was later altered so that TVM would pay the entirety of certain other claims in order to compensate Covertech for the claims it had paid in full. (ECF No. 96 at 77-78). TVM therefore claims that it is not liable to Covertech for breach of contract because the subsequent modification of the arrangement between the parties relieved TVM of its duty to pay the warranty claims made by Southern Structures, LLC, Arcadian Commercial, LLC, Halpin's Flooring America, Marquis Building, and Dayon. TVM has failed to provide the Court with evidence that the parties in fact agreed to modify their contract for contribution in this manner. The alleged modification is therefore not a defense to this breach of contract claim.
The evidence put forward by Covertech in support of its agreement with TVM that TVM had agreed to pay a portion of those settlements is in the form of testimony by Chris Szymanowski at trial, who serves as Covertech's accountant. (ECF No. 97 at 39). Mr. Szymanowski also relied on Exs. 21, 22, and 23, which show that TVM agreed to pay a portion of those settlements, that Covertech then paid the settlements to the claimants and obtained releases, and that Covertech invoiced TVM for its portion of the settlement. (Id., citing Tr., Szymanowski, 10/21 at 235:2-240:2, Exs. 21-23). Though Mr. Boulding admitted at trial that TVM had not made the reimbursements to Covertech, he argued that instead, TVM had paid an entire claim for $15,000. However, he was unable to recall to whom the claim was paid. (ECF No. 97 at 40, citing Tr., Boulding, 10/22 at 220:14-15). The Court does not find Mr. Boulding's assertion to have been credible, particularly since TVM did not adduce any evidence that it had paid another claim in the amount of $15,000. In addition, the Court deems Mr. Szymanowski's statements at trial to be credible, and finds that the parties did agree that TVM would make contributions towards the warranty claims paid by Covertech.
The Court finds that TVM breached its contract with Covertech by failing to pay its contribution to Covertech for the warranty claims. As a result, Covertech suffered loss in the amount that TVM failed to reimburse them. TVM is therefore liable for breach of contract for failing to pay the settlement amounts.
In reliance on Covertech's agreement with TVM, Covertech paid settlements to Southern Structures, Acadian, Halpin's, and Marquis, obtained releases from them and invoiced TVM for the amounts it had agreed to contribute, which total $13,000. TVM has not paid that amount to Covertech. Though TVM asserted
The Court therefore finds that TVM is liable to Covertech regarding these settlement agreements for a total of $13,000.
The elements of unjust enrichment under Pennsylvania law have been defined as:
Sovereign Bank v. BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc., 533 F.3d 162, 180 (3d Cir.2008), citing Limbach Co. LLC v. City of Philadelphia, 905 A.2d 567, 575 (Pa.Cmwlth.2006).
Under Pennsylvania law, a contract prevents a party from making a claim of unjust enrichment. Recovery in such a case is limited to the measure provided for in the contract. United States v. Kensington Hosp., 760 F.Supp. 1120, 1135 (E.D.Pa. 1991), citing Hershey Foods Corp. v. Ralph Chapek, Inc., 828 F.2d 989, 999 (3d Cir. 1987).
Since the Court has found that Plaintiff is able to recover under a breach of contract theory, it need not consider Plaintiff's unjust enrichment arguments.
TVM seeks a declaratory judgment and asks the Court to determine that CONCRETE BARRIER is a generic mark. TVM asserts that CONCRETE BARRIER is not protectable as a mark because it simply describes what the product is, namely a barrier between a concrete slab and the soil underneath it. (ECF No. 96 at 79). TVM argues that even if CONCRETE BARRIER was once indicative of its source, it is now used by a number of manufacturers, distributors and retailers, not all of whom are supplied by Covertech, which is further indication that CONCRETE BARRIER cannot be indicative of a single source of the product, and is therefore not a protectable mark. (Id. at 80). TVM adds that Covertech allowed several of its distributor and retail customers to use the mark, or some variation thereof, without any indication that the product ultimately originated from Covertech. (Id.). TVM claims that Covertech acquiesced and even assisted in the dilution and genericity of its CONCRETE BARRIER mark by allowing some of its customers to use the product in this way. (Id.). Further, TVM argues that Covertech's failure to protect its mark for six years means that it has lost the mark's legal protection. (Id.).
The Court determined above that CONCRETE BARRIER was entitled to trademark protection because it had attained secondary meaning and consumers in the market associated it with a product from Covertech. In making this determination, the Court also found that any use of the mark by other distributors was either authorized by Covertech or unauthorized use by TVM. Thus, TVM has failed to establish to the Court that the trademark has become generic and not protectable. TVM's declaratory judgment claim therefore fails.
TVM asserts that Covertech is liable to TVM for breach of contract or, in the event the Court should find that there was no contract between the parties, for
TVM has not presented the Court with credible evidence that Covertech had agreed to reimburse TVM for these credit requests, other than testimony by TVM's Mike Boulding. The Court has judged Mr. Boulding's testimony not to be credible overall based on numerous impeachments by Plaintiff at trial. Thus, the Court finds insufficient evidence to support a finding that Covertech had agreed to reimburse TVM for the amount alleged. Covertech is not liable to TVM for breach of contract for failure to pay these amounts.
For the doctrine of fraudulent concealment to be applicable, a defendant must have committed some affirmative independent act of concealment upon which a plaintiff justifiably relied. Krapf v. St. Luke's Hosp., 4 A.3d 642, 650 (Pa.Super.Ct.2010).
TVM asserts that Covertech committed fraud in failing to disclose to TVM knowledge about the potential degradation of the rFOIL product when exposed to UV light. (ECF No. 97 at 96). Covertech argues that the inherent fraud doctrine does not toll the statute of limitations here because TVM should have learned through the exercise of due diligence of the existence of the claim. (Id. at 98). Because TVM should have learned of the cause of action at least as early as 2010, Covertech argues that the claim is barred under Pennsylvania's two-year statute of limitations. (Id. at 99). Covertech also asserts that even if the claim was not time-barred, TVM did not establish that Covertech committed fraud. (Id. at 99). Covertech notes that Mr. Orologio's statement that he had known since 2004 and possibly as early as the 1990's that UV light could damage polyethylene film was made in the context of his experience in the pool covering industry, and that he did not know in 2004 that rFOIL as installed inside an exposed building could similarly degrade after enough exposure. (Id. at 100). Covertech argues that to the extent Mr. Boulding's testimony conflicts with Mr. Orologio's testimony, the Court should find that Mr. Boulding's testimony was not credible. (ECF No. 97 at 101). Covertech further asserts that TVM has failed to demonstrate that it was damaged as a result of reliance on statements by Mr. Orologio, and that TVM failed to prove the damages with a reasonable degree of certainty. (Id. at 102). Finally, Covertech argues that TVM's fraud claim is barred by the broad release that TVM entered into following the Mueller litigation. (Id. at 104).
TVM claims that Covertech had a duty "to disclose to TVM a development or discovery
The Court finds that Covertech is not liable to TVM for fraud. TVM has failed to establish that Covertech was aware as early as 2004 of the specific risks of using polyethylene in enclosed buildings. TVM has not satisfied the Court that Covertech made any affirmative independent act of concealment upon which TVM relied. See Krapf v. St. Luke's Hosp., 4 A.3d at 650. The Court finds that Mr. Orologio's testimony is credible and that Covertech provided a valid explanation for Mr. Orologio's familiarity with UV degradation in 2004 due to his experience in the pool covering business. In addition, the Court finds that TVM has not established the damages it asserts it has suffered with a reasonable degree of certainty.
TVM also argues that Covertech is liable to TVM for misappropriation because TVM created the product numbers and marketing materials with little or no contribution from Covertech. (ECF No. 96 at 92). TVM claims that it provided the numbers to Covertech so that the two companies, who were in a confidential relationship at the time, could integrate their systems. (Id. at 92). TVM asserts that it never allowed Covertech to use their marketing materials after the agreement between them ended. (Id. at 93). Covertech responds that TVM has failed to establish the elements of misappropriation, and that the claim is also time-barred. (ECF No. 97 at 106).
The Court finds that TVM has failed to make out a claim for misappropriation. TVM has failed to establish what was misappropriated. TVM has also failed to establish the second element, namely that "the defendant has appropriated the thing at little or no cost, such that the court can characterize defendant's own actions as reaping where it has not sown." See Babiarz v. Bell Atlantic-Penn., Inc., 2001 WL 1808554, *8, 2001 Phila.Ct.Com. Pl. LEXIS 94, *27-28 (Pa.C.P.2001) (quoting Sorbee Int'l. Ltd. v. Chubb Custom Ins. Co., 1999 PA Super 178, 735 A.2d 712, 716 (Pa.Super.Ct.1999)). Covertech had agreed with TVM that TVM would be its marketing arm in the United States. The parties agreed to come up with the product numbers in order to eliminate confusion among customers. TVM has not produced any evidence as to how it was injured by the alleged misappropriation, or to establish
Lastly, TVM has alleged that Covertech committed trademark infringement and fraud on the trademark office. TVM argues that Covertech uses the "ULTRA NT SCIF BARRIER" marks in commerce without TVM's approval. (ECF No. 96 at 93). Covertech counters that the mark is invalid and that Covertech is not liable to TVM for trademark infringement of that mark. (ECF No. 97 at 109). Covertech also denies that Covertech and Mr. Starr committed fraud on the USPTO because there was no evidence that they knowingly made a false, material representation with the intent to deceive the USPTO. (ECF No. 97 at 110).
TVM notes that it has federally registered "ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER" and "ULTRA NT SCIF BARRIER." (ECF No. 96 at 93). TVM also claims that the registration of these marks was proper because TVM was the first to use them in commerce in the United States. (Id.). The Court found above that Covertech owned the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. The Court also found that TVM had committed fraud on the trademark office by registering the mark. Thus, the Court finds that TVM's trademark infringement claim for use of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark fails.
TVM claims that Covertech committed fraud on the USPTO by submitting an application to the USPTO swearing that it owned the mark, even though Covertech allegedly knew that TVM had registered the mark and that TVM owned the mark because of first use. (ECF No. 96 at 94). TVM asserts that "Covertech engaged in this willful false statement in an attempt to deceive the Patent and Trademark Office into giving Covertech approval of its application to register the mark." (ECF No. 96 at 94).
TVM's fraud on the USPTO equally fails. Since the Court found above that Covertech was the rightful owner of ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER, and that TVM's registration of the mark with the USPTO was fraudulent, the Court finds that Covertech was entitled to use of the mark. The Court also finds that Covertech owned the mark because of its first use in interstate commerce, and that Covertech was not making a willful false statement in its application to the USPTO.
For all of the foregoing reasons, the Court finds in favor of Covertech on all counts. Judgment is entered in favor of Covertech. The Court hereby awards damages to Covertech in the amount of $4,761,319. The Court also orders the cancellation of TVM's registration of the ULTRA NT RADIANT BARRIER mark. The Court will also entertain Covertech's motion for attorney's fees in an amount relating to its efforts in pursuing the trademark infringement, unfair competition, and fraudulent trademark registration claims.
