In Zheng Cai v. Diamond Hong, Inc., [2018-1688] (August 27, 2018), the Federal Circuit affirmed the cancellation of the registration on “WU DANG TAI CHI GREEN TEA” due to a likelihood confusion with Diamond Hong’s registered mark “TAI CHI.”

The TTAB found likelihood of confusion, giving limited consideration to a briefing supplied by Mr. Zheng Cai (DBA Tai Chi Green Tea Inc.), because it “contraven[ed]” certain provisions of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Manual of Procedure (“TBMP”). Mr. Cai appealed the TTAB’s evidentiary ruling that excluded evidence in his main brief as well as its finding of likelihood of confusion.

The Federal Circuit reviews TTAB evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion, and only reverses a TTAB ruling if it meets the following criteria:

1. It is clearly unreasonable, arbitrary, or fanciful
2. It is based on an erroneous conclusion of law
3. It is premised on clearly erroneous findings of fact
4. The record contains no evidence on which the TTAB could rationally base its decision

The TTAB considered the arguments presented in Mr. Cai’s Main Brief but did not consider the factual assertions and “figures” displayed and discussed in Mr. Cai’s brief, which “are not evidence introduced into the trial record.” The TTAB also did not consider Mr. Cai’s reply brief because the TMBP does not provide for such filings and gives the TTAB broad discretion in considering them.

Mr. Cai argued that the exclusion of his evidence was improper, but the Federal Circuit disagreed. The Federal Circuit noted that, although the procedural guidelines in the TBMP do not have the force of law, they are accorded a degree of deference to the extent that it has the “power to persuade.” The TBMP provides that evidentiary matters are resolved in accordance with the Federal Rules of Evidence, the relevant portions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the relevant provisions of Title 28 of the United States Code, and the rules of practice in trademark cases. Mr. Cai’s Main Brief contained numerous assertions of fact, but this information is not evidence under any of the relevant rules. With respect to his Reply Brief, the plain language of the TBMP states that the TTAB is not required to permit a party in the position of defendant to file a reply brief.

On the substantive issue of likelihood of confusion, the Federal Circuit reviewed the applicable factors of the 13-factor DuPont test and concluded that substantial evidence supports the TTAB’s findings with respect to each DuPont factor, and the TTAB did not err as to its ultimate conclusion of likelihood of confusion.