Weigel Stores News Today

In Simo Holdings Inc. v. Hong Kong Ucloudlink Network, Appeal No.19-2411, the Federal Circuit held that a claim construction that excludes an embodiment disclosed in the specification is proper where the claim language and intrinsic evidence sufficiently indicate that the disclosed embodiment is not within the scope of the claim. SIMO Holdings Inc. (SIMO) sued Hong Kong uCloudlink Network (uCloudlink) for patent infringement, asserting claims directed to apparatuses and methods for reducing ro...

  QuikTrip West has used its mark QT KITCHENS since 2011 in connection with its combination gas station/convenience stores. In 2014, Weigel Stores began using W KITCHENS in connection with its similar stores. Responding to QuickTrip’s cease-and-desist letter, Weigel twice altered its mark: first removing the “S” from “KITCHENS” to make it singular and changing the font, and then adding the words “WEIGEL’S” and “NOW OPEN” (and once again modifying the font). Nonetheless, whe...

Summary:  When comparing marks under the Dupont factors, the Board may give less weight to shared terms that are highly suggestive if not descriptive. Further, a party’s willingness to alter its mark multiple times to prevent customer confusion demonstrates a lack of bad faith.        In 2014, Weigel Stores, Inc. began using the stylized mark W KITCHENS in connection with food and beverages sold in its stores.  The mark as originally used by Weigel appeared as follows: QuikTrip West, I...