Federal Circuit Clarifies What Constitutes Use "In Commerce" Under The Lanham Act

On November 14, 2016, the Federal Circuit clarified confusion regarding what is necessary to satisfy the registration requirement that a mark be used "in commerce."

Christian Faith Fellowship Church v. adidas AG involved the Church's appeal from a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ("TTAB") decision cancelling its mark "ADD A ZERO."  The Church, located in Illinois, began selling apparel bearing the phrase "ADD A ZERO" in January 2005 and later applied for and obtained a federal registration for the mark based on actual use in commerce.  In 2009, Adidas sought to register "ADIZERO" but had its application denied by the Trademark Office based on likely confusion with the Church's "ADD A ZERO" mark.  Adidas then brought an action to cancel the Church's mark arguing that the Church had failed to use the marks in commerce before registration.