It has been said that one can predict the outcome of a Section 2(d) appeal 95% of the time just by looking at the marks and the goods or services. Presented for your contemplation are three recent TTAB decisions in Section 2(d) appeals. One was reversed. What do you think? [Answer in first comment].
In re Nikon Corporation, Serial No. 86828751 ((October 6, 2017) [not precedential] [Section 2(d) refusal to register the mark MMD (in standard characters) for “laser scanners for industrial inspection and for geometrical measurement, and not for use with land surveying equipment; software for collection and interpretation of data in the operation of laser scanners, not for use with land surveying equipment,” in view of the registered mark shown below for “levelling rods; surveying chains; surveying compass needles; surveying instruments; surveying machines and instruments; transits; tripods”].
In re Ruby A. Bacardi, Serial No. 86809072 (October 3, 2017) [not precedential] [Section 2(d) refusals of the marks THIRTEEN 1330 and 1330 for “Clothing, namely, dresses, skirts, blouses, shirts, pants, and jackets,” in view of the registered mark LOGAN 1330 for various clothing items].
In re Benchmark Brewing LLC, Serial No. 86586142 (September 29, 2017) [not precedential] [Section 2(d) refusal of the mark BENCHMARK BREWING COMPANY for “taproom services” [BREWING COMPANY disclaimed] in view of the word + design mark shown below for “restaurant services [RESTAURANT disclaimed]].