throbber

`
`
`
`UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
`Washington, D.C.
`
`Before the Honorable Bryan F. Moore
`Administrative Law Judge
`
`
`In the Matter of
`
`CERTAIN CHOCOLATE MILK POWDER
`AND PACKAGING THEREOF
`
`
`
`Inv. No. 337-TA-1232
`(Enforcement)
`
`
`COMMISSION INVESTIGATIVE STAFF’S RESPONSE TO COMPLAINANT MEENAXI
`ENTERPRISE INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY DETERMINATION OF VIOLATION
`BY THE DEFAULTING RESPONDENTS AND FOR RECOMMENDED
`DETERMINATION ON REMEDY
`[Mot. Dkt. No. 1232-019 (Enforcement)]
`
`
`Margaret D. Macdonald, Director
`Jeffrey T. Hsu, Supervisory Attorney
`Jennifer M. Dienes, Investigative Attorney
`Office of Unfair Import Investigations
`U.S. International Trade Commission
`500 E Street SW, Suite 401
`Washington, DC 20436
`Tel: 202-708-5408
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`March 27, 2024
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`Table of Contents
`
`
`
`I.
`
`II.
`
`INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1
`
`BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................. 1
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`Summary of Violation Phase ...................................................................... 1
`
`Enforcement ................................................................................................ 3
`
`Complainant ............................................................................................................ 4
`
`Enforcement Respondents ....................................................................................... 5
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`Organic Ingredients ..................................................................................... 5
`
`New India .................................................................................................... 5
`
`Bharat Bazar ................................................................................................ 5
`
`Coconut Hill ................................................................................................ 5
`
`The Asserted Trademark ......................................................................................... 6
`
`The Products at Issue............................................................................................... 6
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`D.
`
`E.
`
`III.
`
`IV.
`
`LEGAL STANDARDS ....................................................................................................... 6
`
`SUMMARY DETERMINATION ASSESSMENT............................................................ 7
`
`A.
`
`B.
`
`C.
`
`General Exclusion Order ......................................................................................... 7
`
`Importation or Sale After Issuance of the GEO ...................................................... 8
`
`Jurisdiction ............................................................................................................ 10
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`Personal Jurisdiction ................................................................................. 10
`
`In Rem Jurisdiction ................................................................................... 10
`
`Statutory Authority .................................................................................... 10
`
`D.
`
`Trademark Infringement ....................................................................................... 11
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`Legal Standard........................................................................................... 11
`
`Enforcement Respondents’ Unlawful Activities ....................................... 12
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`
`i
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`3.
`
`Analysis of the DuPont Factors ................................................................ 13
`
`V.
`
`REMEDY .......................................................................................................................... 18
`
`A.
`
`Cease and Desist Orders ........................................................................................ 19
`
`VI.
`
`CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 20
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`ii
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`Table of Authorities
`
`
`
`
`Cases
`Certain Electric Skin Care Devices, Brushes and Chargers Therefor, and Kits Containing the Same,
`Inv. No. 337-TA-959, Comm’n Op. (Feb. 13, 2017) ..................................................................... 19
`
`Certain Footwear Products, Inv. No. 337-TA-936, Comm’n Op. (Remand) (Sept. 24, 2020) ........ 11
`
`Certain Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and Products Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-739
`(Enforcement), Final Comm’n Determination (Dec. 2, 2013) ....................................................... 20
`
`Certain Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and Products Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-739,
`Comm’n Op. (June 8, 2012) ........................................................................................................... 20
`
`Certain Mobile Telephone Handsets, Wireless Communication Devices, and Components Thereof,
`Inv. 337-TA-578, USITC Pub. No. 4132, Final Initial Determination, 2010 WL 1436458 (March
`2010) (unreviewed) .......................................................................................................................... 7
`
`Certain Motorized Vehicles and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-1132, Comm’n Op.
`(Modification) (Jan. 4, 2021) ................................................................................................... 11, 12
`
`Certain Motorized Vehicles and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-1132, Initial Determination
`(Nov. 21, 2019) .............................................................................................................................. 11
`
`Certain Mounting Apparatuses for Holding Portable Electronic Devices and Components Thereof,
`Inv. No. 337-TA-1086, Initial Determination (Dec. 11, 2018) ...................................................... 10
`
`Certain Pocket Lighters, Inv. No. 337-TA-1142, ID, 2020 WL 2094127 (Feb. 12, 2020) ............... 11
`
`Certain Pocket Lighters, Inv. No. 337-TA-1142, Initial Determination Granting Summary
`Determination of Violation, 2020 WL 2094127 (Feb. 12, 2020) ............................................ 10, 12
`
`Certain Video Security Equipment & Sys., Related Software, Components Thereof, & Prods.
`Containing Same, Inv. No. 337-TA-1281, Comm’n Op. (Apr. 19, 2023) ..................................... 10
`
`In re E.I. DuPont DeNemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357 (C.C.P.A. 1973) ............................................. 11
`
`Lucent Technologies, Inc. v. Gateway, 580 F.3d 1301 (Fed. Cir. 2009).............................................. 7
`
`Specialty Brands, Inc. v. Coffee Bean Distributors, Inc., 748 F.2d 669 (Fed. Cir. 1984) ................. 17
`
`Swagway, LLC v. Int’l Trade Comm’n, 934 F.3d 1332 (Fed. Cir. 2019) ..................................... 11, 12
`
`Statutes
`19 U.S.C. § 1337(k)(1) ......................................................................................................................... 8
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`iii
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`Rules
`19 C.F.R. § 210.18(b) ........................................................................................................................... 7
`
`
`
`
`
`19 C.F.R. § 210.49(c) ........................................................................................................................... 7
`
`19 C.F.R. § 210.75(a)(4) .................................................................................................................... 19
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`iv
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`On March 15, 2024, Complainant Meenaxi Enterprise Inc. (“Complainant” or “Meenaxi”)
`
`moved for a summary determination of violation including (1) a determination that Organic
`
`Ingredients Inc. d/b/a Namaste Plaza Indian Super Market (“Organic Ingredients”), New India
`
`Bazar Inc. d/b/a New India (“New India”), Bharat Bazar Inc. (“Bharat Bazar”), and Coconut Hill
`
`Inc. d/b/a Coconut Hill (“Coconut Hill”) (collectively, “Enforcement Respondents” or
`
`“Enforcement Defaulting Respondents”), all of which have been found in default (see Order No. 8
`
`(Feb. 13, 2024), unreviewed, Comm’n Notice (March 15, 2024)), have violated the general
`
`exclusion order (“GEO”) that issued on November 15, 2022, and (2) a recommended determination
`
`on appropriate enforcement measures including the issuance of cease and desist orders (“CDOs”)
`
`(“Mot.” or “Motion”).
`
`The Commission Investigative Staff (“Staff”) supports the motion for the reasons discussed
`
`below.
`
`II.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`A.
`
`Procedural History
`
`1.
`
`Summary of Violation Phase
`
`
`
`On October 29, 2020, Meenaxi filed a complaint with the Commission (“Complaint”). See
`
`EDIS Doc. ID 723620. A supplement to the Complaint was filed on November 10, 2020. EDIS
`
`Doc. ID 724586. The Complaint, as supplemented, alleged violations of 19 U.S.C. § 1337 by
`
`twenty-one proposed respondents, including New India, Coconut Hill, and Bharat Bazar, based on
`
`the sale for importation, importation, and/or sale within the United States after importation of
`
`certain chocolate milk powder and packaging thereof that infringe U.S. Trademark Registration No.
`
`4,206,026 (“the ’026 Mark”). See EDIS Doc. ID 723620. On December 1, 2020, the Commission
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`1
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`instituted the investigation and named all twenty-one respondents. See 85 Fed. Reg. 77237-8 (Dec.
`
`
`
`
`
`1, 2020). All respondents were found in default. See Order No. 6 (Feb. 10, 2021), unreviewed by
`
`Comm’n Notice (Mar. 2, 2021); Order No. 23 (May 19, 2022), unreviewed by Comm’n Notice (Jun.
`
`14, 2022).
`
`
`
`On May 24, 2021, Meenaxi moved for summary determination of violation of Section 337
`
`by the respondents found in default and requested a general exclusion order (“GEO”). See EDIS
`
`Doc. ID 743229. On December 1, 2021, an initial determination issued granting Meenaxi’s motion,
`
`but noting discrepancies with respect to one of the respondents, Organic Food d/b/a Namaste Plaza
`
`India Super Market (“Organic Food”), that called into question whether the respondent was
`
`properly served with the complaint, notice of investigation, and order to show cause. See Order No.
`
`15 at 1, n. 1. The Commission determined sua sponte to review the initial determination and
`
`ordered reconsideration of Order No. 6, the order to show cause, as to the aforementioned
`
`respondent and any other respondents who may not have been properly served. See EDIS Doc. ID
`
`760809. The investigation was remanded to the ALJ for further proceedings. Id.
`
`
`
`On remand, Meenaxi moved to amend the complaint and notice of investigation to correct
`
`the corporate entity name and address of Organic Food to Organic Ingredients Inc. d/b/a Namaste
`
`Plaza Indian Supermarket (“Organic Ingredients”), correct the address of Bharat Bazar,1 and correct
`
`the address for New India. EDIS Doc. ID 763824 at 7-9. Meenaxi’s motion was granted. Order
`
`No. 18 at 1-5 (Mar. 11, 2022), unreviewed by Comm’n Notice, 87 FR 22940 (Apr. 18, 2020).
`
`Remand proceedings were conducted as to Organic Ingredients and New India, both of which were
`
`ordered to respond to the amended complaint and notice of investigation and when they did not so
`
`
`1 Meenaxi demonstrated that Bharat Bazar had been served with all of the documents in the
`investigation despite a typographical error in its address. Order No. 18 at 4.
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`2
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`respond, they were also ordered to respond to an order to show cause why they should not be found
`
`
`
`in default. See Order No. 27 at 3 (Aug. 3, 2022). On May 19, 2022, an initial determination issued
`
`finding Organic Ingredients and New India in default (with the respondents previously found in
`
`default). Order No. 23 (May 19, 2022), unreviewed by Comm’n Notice (June 14, 2022).
`
`
`
`On June 15, 2022, Meenaxi again moved for summary determination of violation by the
`
`defaulting respondents and requested a GEO. See EDIS Doc. ID 773207. On August 3, 2022, a
`
`remand initial determination issued granting Meenaxi’s second motion for summary determination
`
`and finding a violation of Section 337 with respect to the ’026 Mark. See EDIS Doc. ID 776941.
`
`The remand initial determination also found that all of the defaulting respondents met the
`
`importation requirement and that Meenaxi satisfied the domestic industry requirement. Id. Further,
`
`the remand initial determination included the CALJ’s recommended determination on remedy and
`
`bonding, which recommended the issuance of a GEO with respect to the ’026 Mark. Id. On
`
`September 19, 2022, the Commission determined not to review the remand initial determination.
`
`87 Fed. Reg. 58130-1 (Sept. 23, 2022). On November 15, 2022, the Commission issued a final
`
`determination finding a violation, issuing a GEO prohibiting the unlicensed importation of
`
`chocolate milk powder and packaging thereof that infringe the ’026 Mark, and terminating the
`
`investigation. 87 Fed. Reg. 70864-5
`
`Enforcement
`
`2.
`On October 9, 2023,2 Meenaxi filed an enforcement complaint with the Commission
`
`
`
`(“Enforcement Complaint”). See Enforcement Complaint (EDIS Doc. ID 805571). The
`
`Enforcement Complaint alleges violations of the GEO by Organic Ingredients, New India, Bharat
`
`
`2 The Enforcement Complaint was filed on October 9, 2023, which was a federal holiday, so the
`official EDIS received date was October 10, 2023.
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`3
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`Bazar, and Coconut Hill by the continued importation, sale for importation, advertisement,
`
`
`
`
`
`marketing, distribution, offers to sell, and sales of “Bournvita” products that infringe the ’026 Mark.
`
`Id. at ¶ 13. None of the Enforcement Respondents answered Meenaxi’s Enforcement Complaint.
`
`
`
`On November 9, 2023, the Commission determined to institute a formal enforcement
`
`proceeding as to all four Enforcement Respondents. See EDIS Doc. ID 808258 (Notice of
`
`Investigation “NOI”); see also Comm’n Order (Nov. 13, 2023) (EDIS Doc. ID 808290); 88 Fed.
`
`Reg. 78786-7 (Nov. 16, 2023).
`
`
`
`On December 21, 2023, Meenaxi filed a motion for an order to show cause and for entry of
`
`default as to the Enforcement Respondents. See EDIS Doc. ID 810827. The Staff filed a response
`
`supporting Meenaxi’s motion on January 2, 2024. See EDIS Doc. ID 811150. On January 10,
`
`2024, the ALJ issued an order for the Enforcement Respondents to show cause no later than
`
`February 2, 2024 as to why they should not be found in default. Order No. 6 at 3 (January 10,
`
`2024). On February 13, 2024, the ALJ issued an Initial Determination finding the Enforcement
`
`Respondents in default. Order No. 8 (February 13, 2023), unreviewed, Comm’n Notice (March 14,
`
`2024).
`
`
`
`On March 15, 2024, Meenaxi filed a motion for summary determination of violation of the
`
`GEO and for a recommendation that the Commission issue CDOs to each of the Enforcement
`
`Respondents (“Motion” or “MSD”).
`
`B.
`
`Complainant
`
`Complainant Meenaxi is a New Jersey corporation with its principal place of business at 86-
`
`88 Executive Avenue in Edison, New Jersey. See Motion at 5. Meenaxi is “engaged in the
`
`creation, research and development, refinement, production, marketing, importation and sale of a
`
`wide variety of food products and commodities in the Unites States.” Id. Additionally, Meenaxi
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`4
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`has “the exclusive right in the United States to market and sell products covered by the ‘026 mark.”
`
`
`
`
`
`Id.
`
`C.
`
`Enforcement Respondents
`
`1.
`
`Organic Ingredients
`
`Organic Ingredients has a principal place of business at 12220 World Trade Dr. #200, San
`
`Diego, CA 92128. Enforcement Compl. at ¶ 18. Organic Ingredients operates the website
`
`namasteplaza.com and also owns and/or operates retail stores, including a retail store located at
`
`3269 Walnut Ave., Fremont, VA 94538. Id. at ¶ 21, Exs. 5-7.
`
`2.
`
`New India
`
`New India has a principal place of business at 885 Yosemite Way, Milpitas, CA 95035.
`
`Enforcement Compl. at ¶ 22. New India operates the website www.newindiabazar.com and also
`
`owns and/or operates retail stores. Id. at ¶ 25, Exs. 10-13.
`
`3.
`
`Bharat Bazar
`
`
`
`Bharat Bazar has a principal place of business at 34301 Alvarado Niles Road, Union City,
`
`CA 94086. Enforcement Compl. at ¶ 26. Bharat Bazar operates the website
`
`www.shopbharatbazar.com and also owns and/or operates retail stores, including a retail store
`
`located at 1165 Reed Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Id. at ¶ 28, Exs. 14-17.
`
`4.
`
`Coconut Hill
`
`
`
`Coconut Hill has a principal place of business at 554 Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA
`
`94086. Enforcement Compl. at ¶ 29. Coconut Hill owns and/or operates retail stores, including a
`
`retail store at 554 S. Murphy Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Id. at ¶ 31, Exs. 18-20.
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`5
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`D.
`
`The Asserted Trademark
`
`The Asserted Trademark in this investigation is Trademark Registration No. 4,206,026 (“the
`
`
`
`
`
`’026 Mark”) for the word BOURNVITA for “beverages having a milk base; chocolate milk; dried
`
`milk powder; milk beverages containing fruits; milk drinks containing fruits; milk powder; milk-
`
`based beverages with chocolate; milk-based beverages with high milk content; nut-based milk;
`
`powdered milk; and strawberry milk” in International Class 29 and for “chocolate powder;
`
`chocolate-based beverages; chocolate-based beverages with milk; cocoa; cocoa beverages with
`
`milk; cocoa-based beverages; and cocoa-based condiments and seasonings for food and drink” in
`
`International Class 30. Enforcement Compl. at ¶ 16, Ex. 3. The ’026 Mark has been federally
`
`registered since September 11, 2012 and has become incontestable. Id. at ¶ 17, Ex. 3. There is no
`
`dispute that Meenaxi is the owner of record.
`
`E.
`
`The Products at Issue
`
`
`
`The General Exclusion Order that issued on November 15, 2022 identifies that products at
`
`issue as “chocolate milk powder in consumer-sized container with the Bournvita label” (“Accused
`
`Products”). See General Exclusion Order at ¶ 2 (November 15, 2022).
`
`
`
`During the enforcement, the Accused Products were more specifically identified as
`
`“chocolate flavors of the following: BournVita for Women; BournVita Inner Strength for Strength
`
`Every Day; BournVita Lil Champs; BournVita; BournVita Badam Booster; and BournVita 5Star
`
`Magic.” Joint Statement Identifying Accused Products (Jan. 24, 2024).
`
`III. LEGAL STANDARDS
`
`The relevant standard for a grant of summary determination is set forth below. Other
`
`relevant legal standards (e.g., for trademark infringement) are provided in the sections specifically
`
`addressing those issues.
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`6
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`Commission Rule 210.18(b) provides that a summary determination may be granted “if
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`pleadings and any depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the
`
`affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving
`
`party is entitled to summary determination as a matter of law.” 19 C.F.R. § 210.18(b). A party may
`
`rely on circumstantial evidence to prove its claim. See, e.g., Lucent Technologies, Inc. v. Gateway,
`
`580 F.3d 1301, 1318 (Fed. Cir. 2009); Certain Mobile Telephone Handsets, Wireless
`
`Communication Devices, and Components Thereof, Inv. 337-TA-578, USITC Pub. No. 4132, Final
`
`Initial Determination, 2010 WL 1436458 at *127 (March 2010) (unreviewed).
`
`IV.
`
`SUMMARY DETERMINATION ASSESSMENT
`
`A.
`
`General Exclusion Order
`
`
`
`The Commission issued a General Exclusion Order on November 15, 2022 that provides:
`
`Chocolate Milk Power and Packaging Thereof (as defined in paragraph 2 below)
`that infringe the Asserted Trademark are excluded from entry for consumption
`into the United States, entry for consumption from a foreign-trade zone, or
`withdrawal from a warehouse for consumption, except under license of the
`trademark owner or as provided by law until such date as the trademark has been
`abandoned, canceled, or rendered invalid or unenforceable.
`
`See General Exclusion Order at ¶ 1 (November 15, 2022); 87 Fed. Reg. 70864-6 (Nov. 21, 2022).
`
`The Chocolate Milk Powder and Packaging Thereof subject to the GEO are as follows “chocolate
`
`milk powder in consumer-sized contained with the Bournvita label.” Id. at ¶ 2. Commission Rule
`
`210.49(c) states “Exclusion orders and seizure and forfeiture orders shall be enforceable upon
`
`receipt of notice thereof by the Secretary of the Treasury.”3 19 C.F.R. § 210.49(c). A letter
`
`
`3 The Staff notes that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is no longer under the Secretary of the
`Treasury.
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`7
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`transmitting the GEO to U.S. Customs and BorderProtection was sent on November 15, 2022.
`
`EDIS Doc. ID 784515. Accordingly, violations can only be found for acts thereafter.
`
`Pursuant to 19 U.S.C. § 1337(k)(1), the GEO continuesin effect until the Commission finds
`
`that “the conditions which led to such exclusion from entry or order no longer exist.” See 19 U.S.C.
`
`§ 1337(kK)(1). Additionally, on November9, 2023, Meenaxi filed a statement of continued use
`
`pursuant to paragraph 6 of the GEO,stating that Meenaxi “continues to use in the United States,
`
`and in interstate commerce, the ‘026 trademark in connection with chocolate milk powder and
`
`packaging thereof.” EDIS Doc. ID 808136.
`
`B.
`
`Importation or Sale After Issuance of the GEO
`
`Meenaxi primarily relies on evidence of importation for the Enforcement Respondents that
`
`wassubmitted with its Enforcement Complaint but has also offered additional evidence with respect
`
`to Organic Ingredients. Mot. at 10-16. In the Staffs view, the evidence, summarizedin the table
`
`below, showsthat the Enforcement Respondents imported and/or sold after importation chocolate
`
`milk powder products bearing the asserted “BOURNVITA”trademarkin violation of the GEO.
`
`The Staff is also of the view that the evidenceis substantial, reliable and probative regarding
`
`importation andsale after importation by the Enforcement Respondents.
`
`related to the purchase of the product.
`
`Organic Ingredients
`
`Meenaxi relies on Exhibit 6 to the Enforcement Complaint,
`whichis a receipt dated May 2, 2023 showing the purchase of
`BOURNVITAmarked chocolate milk powder products from
`Namaste Plaza‘ in Fremont, CA for $5.99 and $8.99. Thereis a
`photograph of one of the purchased products (Ex. 8 to the
`Enforcement Complaint) that shows a label with “Product of
`India,” and a declaration (Ex. 7 to the Enforcement Complaint)
`
`4 Meenaxi provided evidence tying Organic Ingredients to Namaste Plaza during the violation phase
`of the investigation. See Mot. at 12; Amended Complaint, Exs. 9a-9c.
`
`Staff's Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`8
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`

`

`
`
`New India
`
`Bharat Bazar
`
`Coconut Hill
`
`
`
`
`
`Meenaxi also provides export/import data from Volza.com, a
`website that provides shipping information from India Customs,
`as Ex. A to its Motion. See Mot. at 11-12. Ex. A shows
`shipments of “BOURNVITA” products in August 2023 and
`January 2024 from India to Organic Ingredients in the United
`States.
`
`Meenaxi relies on Exhibits 11-13 to the Enforcement
`Complaint, which show the September 11, 2023 purchase of a
`BOURNVITA marked chocolate milk powder product from the
`website www.store2k.com for $9.99. There is a declaration
`related to the purchase of the product that provides inter alia the
`date of purchase and information showing that New India owns
`and operates the store2k.com website. Enforcement Compl.,
`Ex. 12, Annex. A. There are also photographs of the purchased
`product following its receipt in the US showing a label with
`“Product of India.” Id. at Ex. 12, Annex. C; Ex. 13.
`
`Meenaxi relies on Exhibit 15 to the Enforcement Complaint,
`which is a receipt showing the May 2, 2023 purchase of two
`BOUNVITA marked chocolate milk powder products from
`Bharat Bazar in Sunnyvale, CA for $11.98. There is a
`photograph of one of the purchased products (Ex. 17 to the
`Enforcement Complaint) that shows a label with “Product of
`India,” and a declaration (Ex. 16 to the Enforcement Complaint)
`related to the purchase of the product.
`
`Meenaxi relies on Exhibit 18 to the Enforcement Complaint,
`which is a receipt showing the May 2, 2023 purchase of two
`BOURNVITA marked chocolate milk powder products from
`Coconut Hill in Sunnyvale, CA for $17.98. There is a
`photograph of one of the purchased products (Ex. 20 to the
`Enforcement Complaint) that shows a label with “Product of
`India,” and a declaration (Ex. 19 to the Enforcement Complaint)
`related to the purchase of the product.
`
`
`
`
`The foregoing evidence shows that the Enforcement Respondents have been selling the
`
`accused products after importation into the United States.
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`9
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`C.
`
`Jurisdiction
`
`1.
`
`Personal Jurisdiction
`
`
`
`The Commission has personal jurisdiction over the Enforcement Respondents, which are
`
`located in the United States. See Certain Pocket Lighters, Inv. No. 337-TA-1142, Initial
`
`Determination Granting Summary Determination of Violation, 2020 WL 2094127, at *6 (Feb. 12,
`
`2020). Additionally, Complainant has shown that the Enforcement Respondents were properly
`
`served at the correct addresses for service of process with the Enforcement Complaint, the Order to
`
`Show Cause, the Initial Determination finding them in default, and all other pleadings. See, e.g.,
`
`EDIS Doc. ID 808539, 814611.
`
`Although personal jurisdiction over the Enforcement Respondents has been established in
`
`this enforcement investigation, personal jurisdiction is not required so long as the products at issue
`
`are being imported, sold for importation, or sold after importation. See Certain Mounting
`
`Apparatuses for Holding Portable Electronic Devices and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-
`
`1086, Initial Determination, at 18 (Dec. 11, 2018) (EDIS Doc. ID 663879). As set forth above, the
`
`evidence submitted with the Enforcement Complaint and Meenaxi’s Motion establishes that the
`
`Enforcement Respondents sell after importation the accused products.
`
`2.
`
`In Rem Jurisdiction
`
`
`
`The Commission also has in rem jurisdiction over the accused products sold by the
`
`Enforcement Respondents, given the proof of sales after importation set forth above.
`
`3.
`
`Statutory Authority
`
`Finally, the Commission has statutory authority over this investigation. See Certain Video
`
`Security Equipment & Sys., Related Software, Components Thereof, & Prods. Containing Same,
`
`Inv. No. 337-TA-1281, Comm’n Op. at 9-10 (Apr. 19, 2023).
`
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`10
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`D.
`
`Trademark Infringement
`
`1.
`
`Legal Standard
`
`The Federal Circuit has held that to establish trademark infringement under the Lanham Act,
`
`
`
`
`
`one must prove “(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.”
`
`Converse, Inc. v. Int’l Trade Comm’n, 909 F.3d 1110, 1116 (Fed. Cir. 2018). For infringement
`
`following registration, “the Lanham Act entitles the owner of the registered mark to a presumption
`
`that the mark is valid…including that it has acquired secondary meaning.” Id. at 1117.
`
`
`
`Whether an accused product infringes an asserted trademark or trade dress depends on the
`
`likelihood of confusion. In determining whether there is a likelihood of confusion, the Commission
`
`has stated that the thirteen factors set forth in In re E.I. DuPont DeNemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357
`
`(C.C.P.A. 1973) can be considered. See Certain Footwear Products, Inv. No. 337-TA-936,
`
`Comm’n Op. (Remand) at 56, n. 325 (Sept. 24, 2020); see also Motorized Vehicles, Comm’n Op.
`
`(Modification) at 7-8 (Jan. 4, 2021) (“Motorized Vehicles Modification”). The thirteen DuPont
`
`factors are:
`
`(1) The similarity or dissimilarity of the marks in their entireties as to appearance,
`sound, connotation and commercial impression;
`(2) The similarity or dissimilarity and nature of the goods or services as described in
`an application or registration or in connection with which a prior mark is in use;
`
`5 In fn. 32 the Commission stated: “The Federal Circuit has recently applied the DuPont factors
`framework to the likelihood of confusion analysis in reviewing the Commission’s infringement
`determination. See Swagway, LLC v. Int’l Trade Comm’n, 934 F.3d 1332, 1338 n.2 (Fed. Cir. 2019)
`(citing In re E.I. DuPont DeNemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357 (C.C.P.A. 1973)). That framework
`includes thirteen factors, many of which are similar to, or overlap with, the Restatement of Torts
`factors. Following the Swagway decision, the ALJs at the Commission have begun employing the
`DuPont factors and the Commission has approved the use of the DuPont framework. See Certain
`Pocket Lighters, Inv. No. 337-TA-1142, ID, 2020 WL 2094127, at *7, 10-13 (Feb. 12, 2020),
`unreviewed in relevant part by 82 Fed. Reg. 23528 (Apr. 28, 2020); Certain Motorized Vehicles
`and Components Thereof, Inv. No. 337-TA-1132, Initial Determination at 14-15 (Nov. 21, 2019),
`aff’d, Comm’n Op. at 24 (June 18, 2020).
`
`Staff’s Response to Meenaxi’s
`Motion for Summary Determination
`
`337-TA-1232 (Enf)
`
`11
`
`PUBLIC VERSION
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`
`
`(3) The similarity or dissimilarity of established, likely-to-continue trade channels;
`(4) The conditions under which and buyers to whom sales are made, i.e. “impulse”
`vs. careful, sophisticated purchasing;
`(5) The fame of the prior mark (sales, advertising, length of use);
`(6) The number and nature of similar marks in use on similar goods;
`(7) The nature and extent of any actual confusion;
`(8) The length of time during and conditions under which there has been concurrent
`use without evidence of actual confusion;
`(9) The variety of goods on which a mark is or is not used (house mark, “family”
`mark, product mark);
`(10) The market interface between applicant and the owner of a prior mark . . .;
`(11) The extent to which applicant has a right to exclude others from use of its mark
`on its goods;
`(12) The extent of potential confusion, i.e., whether de minimis or substantial; and
`(13) Any other established fact probative of the effect of use.
`
`Id. The DuPont factors, however, “cannot be reduced to a simple tally,” and the factors “are
`
`accorded different weights in different circumstances.” Swagway, LLC v. Int’l Trade Comm’n, 934
`
`F.3d 1332, 1340 (Fed. Cir. 2019).
`
`
`
`During the violation phase, the following DuPont factors were addressed: similarity of
`
`marks, similarity of goods, similarly of trade channels, conditions of sale, right of Meenaxi to
`
`exclude. Order No. 15 (Initial ID) at 17-20 (see also fn. 6, listing the factors not addressed), Order
`
`No. 27 (Remand ID) at 10-15; Certain Pocket Lighters, Inv. No. 337-TA-1142, Initial
`
`Determination Granting Summary Determination of Violation, 2020 WL 2094127, at *7 (Feb. 12,
`
`2020) (“not all of the DuPont factors will apply in every case; only those factors which are
`
`supported by evidence in the record need to be considered”).
`
`2.
`
`Enforcement Respondents’ Unlawful Activities
`
`
`
`Meenaxi accuses the Enforcement Respondents of violating the GEO by offering for sale,
`
`selling, advertising, and aiding and abetting the sale and use of Cadbury’s “BOURNVITA”
`
`products, which allegedly infringe the ’026 Mark. Mot. at 11-16.

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket