University of Louisiana at Lafayette V. Richards Cajun Foods Corp. ___
This Opinion is Not a Precedent of the TTAB Mailed: November 6, 2019 UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE _____ Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ———— University of Louisiana at Lafayette v. Richards Cajun Foods Corp. ___ Opposition No. 91233876 ___ Blair B. Suire and Robert L. Waddell of Jones Walker LLP for University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Evan D. Brown and Adam K. Sacharoff of Much Shelist, P.C. for Richards Cajun Foods Corp. ______ Before Kuhlke, Adlin and Pologeorgis, Administrative Trademark Judges. Opinion by Adlin, Administrative Trademark Judge: Applicant Richards Cajun Foods Corp. seeks registration of GEAUX CAJUN, in standard characters, for “fresh and processed meat products, namely, sausage; smoked sausage.”1 Opposer University of Louisiana at Lafayette, in its second 1 Application Serial No. 87173267, filed September 16, 2016 under Section 1(b) of the Trademark Act, based on an alleged intent to use the mark in commerce. According to the application, “[t]he English translation of ‘GEAUX’ in the mark is ‘GO’.” Opposition No. 91233876 amended notice of opposition,2 alleges that it is located in the Acadiana region of Louisiana, which is known as “Cajun country,” and that its nickname is the RAGIN’ CAJUNS. It further alleges prior use and registration of the mark GEAUX CAJUNS, in standard characters (CAJUNS disclaimed), for educational and entertainment services, clothing and a “wide variety of licensed goods and services.”3 As grounds for opposition, Opposer alleges that use of Applicant’s mark is likely to cause confusion with Opposer’s mark, including because “[t]he consuming public expects the goods sold and licensed by the University under the University’s GEAUX CAJUNS mark to expand to food and beverage products (including sausage) based on the University’s established history of licensing its marks for use in connection with food and beverage products.” 15 TTABVUE 16 (Second Amended NOO ¶ 31).
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