Bullet-Shaped Antenna Not Aesthetically Functional, But Lacks Acquired Distinctiveness, Says TTAB

The Board granted a petition for cancellation of a registration for the product configuration mark shown below (shaped like "a bullet cartridge") for "automobile antennas," finding that the mark lacked acquired distinctiveness. The Board rejected petitioner's claim that the design is aesthetically functional because petitioner failed to prove a competitive need for use of that shape. JVMAX, Inc. v. ESR Performance Corp., Cancellation No. 92063873 (June 29, 2018) [not precedential] (Opinion by Judge Marc A. Bergsman).

Aesthetic Functionality: Petitioner claimed that the registered design is functional under Section 2(e)(5) because "[c]onsumers purchase bullet shaped antennas based on the ornamental appearance of the antennas." Therefore, the shape is "essential to the purpose of the product which is purchase[d] in large part for the way it looks."