DIVISION 6. BUSINESS RIGHTS [14000 - 14704] ( Division 6 added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 56. )
CHAPTER 1. Good Will [14100 - 14103] ( Chapter 1 added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 57. )
14100.
The “good will” of a business is the expectation of continued public patronage.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 57.)
14101.
The good will of a business does not include a right to use the name of any person from whom the business was acquired.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 57.)
14102.
The good will of a business is property and is transferable.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 57.)
14103.
The person transferring the good will of a business may transfer with it the right of using the name under which the business is conducted.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 57.)
ARTICLE 1. General Provisions [14200 - 14202] ( Article 1 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14200.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Model State Trademark Law.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
14202.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) “Trademark” means any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof, used by a person to identify and distinguish the goods of that person, including a unique product, from those manufactured or sold by others, and to indicate the source of the goods, even if that source is unknown.
(b) “Service mark” means any word, name, symbol, or device, or any combination thereof, used by a person to identify and distinguish the services of that person, including a unique service, from the services of others, and to indicate the source of the services, even if that source is unknown. Titles, character names used by a person, and other distinctive features of radio or television programs may be registered as service marks notwithstanding that they, or the programs, may advertise the goods of the sponsor.
(c) “Mark” includes any trademark or service mark entitled to registration under this chapter, whether registered or not.
(d) “Trade name” means any name used by a person to identify a business or vocation of that person.
(e) The term “person” and any other word or term used to designate the applicant or other party entitled to a benefit or privilege or rendered liable under the provisions of this chapter includes a juristic person as well as a natural person. The term “juristic person” includes a firm, partnership, corporation, union, association, or other organization capable of suing and being sued in a court of law.
(f) “Applicant” means the person filing an application for registration of a mark under this chapter, and the legal representatives, successors, or assigns of the person.
(g) “Registrant” means the person to whom the registration of a mark under this chapter is issued, and the legal representatives, successors, or assigns of the person.
(h) “Use” means the bona fide use of a mark in the ordinary course of trade, and not made merely to reserve a right in a mark. For the purposes of this chapter, a mark shall be deemed to be in use if it is used on either of the following:
(1) On goods when it is placed in any manner on the goods or other containers or the displays associated therewith or on the tags or labels affixed thereto, or if the nature of the goods makes that placement impracticable, then on documents associated with the goods or their sale, and the goods are sold or transported in commerce in this state.
(2) On services when it is used or displayed in the sale or advertising of services and the services are rendered in this state.
(i) “Abandoned” means either of the following has occurred:
(1) A mark’s use has been discontinued with intent not to resume that use. Intent not to resume the use may be inferred from circumstances. Nonuse for two consecutive years shall constitute prima facie evidence of abandonment.
(2) When any course of conduct of the owner, including acts of omission as well as commission, causes the mark to lose its significance as a mark.
(j) “Secretary” means the Secretary of State or the designee of the Secretary of State charged with the administration of this chapter.
(k) “Dilution” means dilution by blurring or dilution by tarnishment, regardless of the presence or absence of any of the following:
(1) Competition between the owner of the famous mark and other parties.
(2) Actual or likely confusion, mistake, or deception.
(3) Actual economic injury.
(l) “Dilution by blurring” means association arising from the similarity between a mark or a trade name and a famous mark that impairs the distinctiveness of the famous mark.
(m) “Dilution by tarnishment” means association arising from the similarity between a mark or a trade name and a famous mark that harms the reputation of the famous mark.
(n) “Counterfeit” means a spurious trademark, service mark, collective mark, or certification mark that is identical to, or substantially indistinguishable from, a registered mark that is used on or in connection with goods or services or any labels or packaging or components.
(o) “Comparative commercial advertising” means the use of a competitor’s trademark in advertising to compare the relative qualities of the competitive goods.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 2. Application for Registration [14205 - 14209] ( Article 2 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14205.
A mark by which the goods or services of any applicant for registration may be distinguished from the goods or services of others shall not be registered if it meets any of the following criteria:
(a) It consists of or comprises immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter.
(b) It consists of or comprises matter that may disparage or falsely suggest a connection with persons living or dead, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols, or bring them into contempt or disrepute.
(c) It consists of or comprises the flag or coat of arms or other insignia of the United States of America, of any state or municipality, or of any foreign nation, or any simulation thereof.
(d) It consists of or comprises the name, signature, or a portrait identifying a particular living individual, except by the individual’s written consent.
(e) It consists of a mark that is any of the following:
(1) When used on or in connection with the goods or services of the applicant, is merely descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive of them.
(2) When used on or in connection with the goods or services of the applicant, is primarily geographically descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive of them.
(3) Is primarily merely a surname, provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph shall prevent the registration of a mark used by the applicant that has become distinctive of the applicant’s goods or services. The secretary may accept as evidence that the mark has become distinctive, as used on or in connection with the applicant’s goods or services, proof of continuous use thereof as a mark by the applicant in this state for the five years before the date on which the claim of distinctiveness is made.
(f) It consists of or comprises a mark that so resembles a mark registered in this state or a mark or trade name previously used by another and not abandoned, as to be likely, when used on or in connection with the goods or services of the applicant, to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
14207.
(a) Subject to the limitations set forth in this chapter, a person who uses a mark may file with the secretary, on a form prescribed by the secretary, an application for registration of that mark setting forth, but not limited to, the following information:
(1) The name and business address of the person applying for the registration and, if that person is a corporation or partnership, the state of incorporation or the state in which the partnership is organized and the names of the general partners, as specified by the secretary.
(2) The goods or services on or in connection with which the mark is used, the mode or manner in which the mark is used on or in connection with the goods or services, and the class in which the goods or services fall.
(3) The date on which the mark was first used anywhere and the date when it was first used in this state by the applicant or a predecessor in interest.
(4) A statement that the applicant is the owner of the mark, that the mark is in use, and that, to the knowledge of the person verifying the application, no other person has registered in this state or has the right to use the mark, either in the identical form or in such near resemblance as to be likely, when applied to the goods or services of the other person, to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive.
(b) The secretary may also require a statement as to whether an application to register the mark, or portions or a composite thereof, has been filed by the applicant or a predecessor in interest with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and, if so, the applicant shall provide full particulars with respect thereto, including the filing date and serial number of each application, the status thereof, and, if any application was finally refused registration or has otherwise not resulted in a registration, the reasons for the refusal or result.
(c) The secretary may also require that a drawing of the mark, complying with requirements specified by the secretary, accompany the application.
(d) The application shall include a declaration of accuracy signed by the applicant, by a member of the firm or an officer of the corporation or association making application, or by a general partner of the partnership making application. If the person signing the declaration willfully states as true in the declaration a material fact that he or she knows to be false, he or she shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000). An action for that penalty may be brought by a public prosecutor. The person signing the declaration shall be informed of this penalty in writing.
(e) The application shall be accompanied by three specimens showing the mark as actually used.
(f) The application shall be accompanied by the application fee payable to the secretary as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 12193 of the Government Code.
(g) If the mark or any part of the mark is in any language other than English, the application shall be accompanied by a certified translation in English.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 20. Effective January 1, 2009.)
14209.
(a) Upon the filing of an application for registration and payment of the application fee, the secretary may cause the application to be examined for conformity with this chapter.
(b) The applicant shall provide any additional pertinent information requested by the secretary, including a description of a design mark, and may make, or authorize the secretary to make, amendments to the application as may be reasonably requested by the secretary or deemed by the applicant to be advisable in order to respond to any rejection or objection.
(c) The secretary may require the applicant to disclaim an unregisterable component of an otherwise registerable mark, and an applicant may voluntarily disclaim a component of a mark sought to be registered. No disclaimer shall prejudice or affect the applicant’s or registrant’s rights, then existing or thereafter arising, in the disclaimed matter, or the applicant’s or registrant’s rights of registration on another application if the disclaimed matter is or has become distinctive of the applicant’s or registrant’s goods or services.
(d) The secretary may make amendments to the application submitted by the applicant upon the applicant’s agreement, or may require the submission of a new application.
(e) If an applicant is found not to be entitled to registration, the secretary shall so advise the applicant and shall advise the applicant of the reasons. The applicant shall have a reasonable period of time specified by the secretary in which to reply or to amend the application, in which event the application shall be reexamined. This procedure may be repeated until the secretary finally refuses registration of the mark or the applicant fails to reply or amend within the specified period, whereupon the application shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
(f) If the secretary finally refuses registration of the mark, the applicant may seek a writ of mandamus to compel registration. A writ may be granted, but without costs to the secretary, on proof that all statements in the application are true and that the mark is otherwise entitled to registration.
(g) In the instance of applications concurrently being processed by the secretary seeking registration of the same or confusingly similar marks for the same or related goods or services, the secretary shall grant priority to the applications in the order of filing. If a prior-filed application is granted a registration, the other application or applications shall then be rejected. Any rejected applicant may bring an action for cancellation of the registration upon grounds of prior or superior rights to the mark, in accordance with the provisions of Section 14230.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 3. Certificate of Registration [14215 - 14217] ( Article 3 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14215.
(a) Upon compliance by the applicant with the requirements of this chapter, the secretary shall cause a certificate of registration to be issued and delivered to the applicant. The certificate of registration shall be issued under the signature of the secretary and the seal of the state, and shall show the following information:
(1) The name and business address and, if a corporation, the state of incorporation, or if a partnership, the state in which the partnership is organized and the names of the general partners, as specified by the secretary, of the person claiming ownership of the mark.
(2) The date claimed for the first use of the mark anywhere and the date claimed for the first use of the mark in this state.
(3) The class of goods or services and a description of the goods or services on or in connection with which the mark is used.
(4) A reproduction of the mark.
(5) The registration date and the term of the registration of the mark.
(b) Any certificate of registration issued by the secretary under the provisions of this chapter or a copy thereof duly certified by the secretary shall be admissible in evidence as competent and sufficient proof of the registration of the mark in any action or judicial proceeding in any court of this state.
(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
14217.
(a) A registration of mark pursuant to this chapter shall be effective for a term of five years from the date of registration and, upon application filed within six months prior to the expiration of the term, in a manner complying with the requirements of the secretary, the registration may be renewed for a like term from the end of the expiring term. A renewal fee, payable to the secretary, shall accompany the application for renewal of the registration as set forth in subdivision (c) of Section 12193 of the Government Code.
(b) A registration may be renewed for successive periods of five years in like manner.
(c) Any registration in force on January 1, 2008, shall continue in full force and effect for the unexpired term thereof, and may be renewed by filing an application for renewal with the secretary that complies with the requirements of the secretary and payment of the renewal fee within the six months prior to the expiration of the registration.
(d) All applications for renewal under this chapter, whether of registrations made under this chapter or of registrations effected under any prior act, shall include a verified statement that the mark has been and is still in use and shall include a specimen showing actual use of the mark on, or in connection with, the goods or services with which the mark is associated.
(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 4. Assignments, Changes of Name, and Other Instruments [14220- 14220.] ( Article 4 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14220.
(a) Any mark and its registration hereunder shall be assignable with the good will of the business in which the mark is used, or with that part of the good will of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by the mark. Assignment shall be by instrument in writing duly executed and may be recorded with the secretary upon the payment of the recording fee payable to the secretary as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 12193 of the Government Code, who, upon recording of the assignment, shall issue in the name of the assignee a new certificate for the remainder of the term of the registration or of the last renewal thereof. An assignment of any registration under this chapter shall be void as against any subsequent purchaser for valuable consideration without notice, unless it is recorded with the secretary within three months after the date thereof or prior to the subsequent purchase.
(b) Any registrant or applicant effecting a change of the name of the person to whom the mark was issued or for whom an application was filed may, on a form prescribed by the secretary, record a certificate of change of name of the registrant or applicant with the secretary upon the payment of the recording fee. The secretary may issue in the name of the assignee a certificate of registration of an assigned application or a new certificate or registration for the remainder of the term of the registration or last renewal thereof.
(c) Other instruments that relate to a mark registered or application pending pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, licenses, may be recorded at the discretion of the secretary, provided that the instrument is in writing and is duly executed.
(d) Acknowledgment shall be prima facie evidence of the execution of an assignment or other instrument and, when recorded by the secretary, the record shall be prima facie evidence of the execution of an assignment.
(e) A photocopy of any instrument referred to in subdivision (a), (b), or (c) shall be accepted for recording if it is certified by any of the parties thereto, or their successors, to be a true and correct copy of the original.
(f) Neither this chapter nor the recordal of any instrument received by the secretary pursuant to this chapter shall have any effect, including, but not limited to, any effect relating to attachment, perfection, priority, or enforcement, on any security interest governed by Division 9 (commencing with Section 9101) of the Uniform Commercial Code.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 5. Records [14225- 14225.] ( Article 5 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14225.
The secretary shall keep for public examination a record of all marks registered or renewed under this chapter, as well as a record of all documents recorded pursuant to Section 14220.
(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 6. Cancellation [14230- 14230.] ( Article 6 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14230.
The secretary shall cancel from the register, in whole or in part, any of the following:
(a) Any registration concerning which the secretary receives a voluntary request for cancellation from the registrant or the assignee of record.
(b) All registrations granted under this chapter and not renewed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(c) Any registration concerning a mark with regard to which a court of competent jurisdiction finds any of the following:
(1) The registered mark has been abandoned.
(2) The registrant is not the owner of the mark.
(3) The registration was granted improperly.
(4) The registration was obtained fraudulently.
(5) The mark is or has become the generic name for the goods or services, or a portion thereof, for which it has been registered.
(6) The registered mark is so similar to a mark registered by another person in the United States Patent and Trademark Office prior to the date of the filing of the application for registration by the registrant hereunder, and not abandoned, as to be likely to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive. However, should the registrant prove that the registrant is the owner of a concurrent registration of a mark in the United States Patent and Trademark Office covering an area including this state, the registration hereunder shall not be canceled for that area of the state.
(d) Cancellation of a registration ordered on any ground by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(e) Any registration or renewal if a check or other remittance accepted in payment of the filing fee is not paid upon presentation. The secretary shall give written notice of the applicability of this subdivision to the registrant. Thereafter, 30 days shall be allowed from the date of the notification letter for payment by cashier’s check or the equivalent.
(f) Within six months of the date of registration, any registration issued in error by the secretary that violates the requirements of subdivision (f) of Section 14205.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 7. Classification [14235- 14235.] ( Article 7 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14235.
The classification of goods and services shall conform to the classifications adopted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. A single application for registration of a mark may include any or all goods upon which, or services with which, the mark is actually being used indicating the appropriate class or classes of goods or services. When a single application includes goods or services that fall within multiple classes, the secretary may require payment of a fee for each class.
(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 8. Fraudulent Registration [14240- 14240.] ( Article 8 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14240.
Any person who, either for himself or herself or on behalf of another person, procures the filing or registration of any mark pursuant to this chapter by knowingly making any false or fraudulent representation or declaration, either orally or in writing, or by any other fraudulent means shall be liable to pay all damages sustained as a consequence of the filing or registration, to be recovered by or on behalf of the party injured thereby in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 9. Violations [14245 - 14259] ( Article 9 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14245.
(a) A person who does any of the following shall be subject to a civil action by the owner of the registered mark, and the remedies provided in Section 14250:
(1) Uses, without the consent of the registrant, any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a mark registered under this chapter in connection with the sale, distribution, offering for sale, or advertising of goods or services on or in connection with which the use is likely to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive as to the source of origin of the goods or services.
(2) Reproduces, counterfeits, copies, or colorably imitates the mark and applies the reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation to labels, signs, prints, packages, wrappers, receptacles, or advertisements intended to be used upon or in connection with the sale or other distribution in this state of goods or services. The registrant shall not be entitled under this paragraph to recover profits or damages unless the acts have been committed with knowledge that the mark is intended to be used to cause confusion or mistake, or to deceive.
(3) Knowingly facilitate, enable, or otherwise assist a person to manufacture, use, distribute, display, or sell goods or services bearing a reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a mark registered under this chapter, without the consent of the registrant. An action by a person is presumed to have been taken knowingly following delivery to that person by personal delivery, courier, or certified mail return receipt requested, of a written demand to cease and desist that is accompanied by all of the following:
(A) A copy of the certificate of registration and of a claimed reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of the registered mark.
(B) A statement, made under penalty of perjury, by the owner of the registered mark, by an officer of the corporation that owns the registered mark, or by legal counsel for the owner of the registered mark, that includes all of the following:
(i) The name or description of the infringer.
(ii) The product or service and mark being or to be infringed.
(iii) The dates of the infringement.
(iv) Other reasonable information to assist the recipient to identify the infringer.
(4) The presumption created by paragraph (3) does not affect the owner’s burden of showing that there was a violation of this chapter.
(5) Paragraph (3) is applicable to a landlord or property owner who provides, rents, leases, or licenses the use of real property where goods or services bearing a reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a mark registered pursuant to this chapter are sold, offered for sale, or advertised, where the landlord or property owner had control of the property and knew, or had reason to know, of the infringing activity.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the remedies given to the owner of the right infringed pursuant to this section are limited as follows:
(1) If an infringer or violator is engaged solely in the business of printing the mark or violating matter for others and establishes that he or she was an innocent infringer or innocent violator, the owner of the right infringed is entitled only to an injunction against future printing of the mark by the innocent infringer or innocent violator.
(2) If the infringement complained of is contained in, or is part of, paid advertising matter in a newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical, or in an electronic communication as defined in subsection (12) of Section 2510 of Title 18 of the United States Code, the remedies of the owner of the right infringed against the publisher or distributor of the newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or electronic communication shall be confined to an injunction against the presentation of the advertising matter in future issues of the newspapers, magazines, or other similar periodicals or in further transmissions of the electronic communication. The limitation of this subdivision shall apply only to innocent infringers and innocent violators.
(3) Injunctive relief is not available to the owner of the right infringed with respect to an issue of a newspaper, magazine, or other similar periodical or electronic communication containing infringing matter if restraining the dissemination of the infringing matter in a particular issue of the periodical or in an electronic communication would delay the delivery of the issue or transmission of the electronic communication after the regular time for delivery and the delay would be due to the method by which publication and distribution of the periodical or transmission of the electronic communication is customarily conducted in accordance with sound business practice, and not to a method or device adopted for the evasion of this section or to prevent or delay the issuance of an injunction or restraining order with respect to the infringing matter.
(c) An innocent infringer or innocent violator is a person whose acts were committed without knowledge that the mark was intended to be used to cause confusion, mistake, or to deceive.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 179, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 2009.)
14247.
(a) Subject to the principles of equity, an owner of a mark that is famous and distinctive, whether inherently or through acquired distinctiveness, shall be entitled to an injunction against another person’s commercial use of a mark or trade name, if such use begins after the mark has become famous and is likely to cause dilution of the famous mark, and to obtain such other relief as is provided in this section. For purposes of this subdivision, a mark is famous if it is widely recognized by the general consuming public of this state, or by a geographic area of this state, as a designation of source of the goods or services of the mark’s owner. In determining whether a mark is famous, a court may consider factors including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(1) The duration, extent, and geographic reach of advertising and publicity of the mark in this state, whether advertised or publicized by the owner or third parties.
(2) The amount, volume, and geographic extent of sales in this state of goods or services offered under the mark.
(3) The extent of actual recognition of the mark in this state.
(4) Whether the mark is the subject of a state registration in this state, or a federal registration under the Act of March 3, 1881, or under the Act of February 20, 1905, or on the principal register under the Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1051 et seq.), as amended.
(b) In an action brought under this section, the owner of a famous mark shall be entitled to injunctive relief throughout the geographic area in which the mark is found to have become famous prior to commencement of the junior use, but not beyond the borders of this state. If the person against whom injunctive relief is sought willfully intended to cause dilution of the famous mark, the owner shall also be entitled to the remedies set forth in Section 14250, subject to the discretion of the court and the principles of equity. The following shall not be actionable under this section:
(1) Any fair use, including a nominative or descriptive fair use, or facilitation of such fair use, of a famous mark by another person other than as a designation of source for the person’s own goods or services, including use in connection with either of the following:
(A) Advertising or promotion that permits consumers to compare goods or services.
(B) Identifying and parodying, criticizing, or commenting upon the famous mark owner or the goods or services of the famous mark owner.
(2) Noncommercial use of the mark.
(3) All forms of news reporting and news commentary.
(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
14250.
(a) Any owner of a mark registered under this chapter may proceed by suit to enjoin the manufacture, use, display, or sale of any counterfeits thereof and any court of competent jurisdiction may grant injunctions to restrain the manufacture, use, display, or sale as may be deemed just and reasonable, and shall require the defendants to pay to the owner up to three times their profits from, and up to three times all damages suffered by reason of, the wrongful manufacture, use, display, or sale. If, in any action brought under this section, the court determines that any goods in the possession of or services offered by a defendant bear or consist of a counterfeit mark, the court shall order the destruction of any goods, labels, packaging or any components bearing the counterfeit mark and all instrumentalities used in the production of the counterfeit goods, including, but not limited to, any items, objects, tools, machines or equipment or, after obliteration of the counterfeit mark, the court may dispose of those materials by ordering their transfer to the state, a civil claimant, an eleemosynary institution, or any appropriate private person other than the person from whom the materials were obtained.
(b) The court, upon motion or ex parte application by a plaintiff in a suit to enjoin the manufacture, use, display, or sale of counterfeits, may order seizure of any goods, labels, packaging or any components bearing the counterfeit mark and all instrumentalities used in the production of the counterfeit goods, including, but not limited to, any items, objects, tools, machines or equipment from persons manufacturing, displaying for sale, or selling the goods, upon a showing of good cause and a probability of success on the merits and upon the posting of an undertaking pursuant to subdivision (e). If it appears from the ex parte application that there is good reason for proceeding without notification to the defendant, the court may, for good cause shown, waive the requirement of notice for the ex parte proceeding. The order of seizure shall specifically set forth all of the following:
(1) The date or dates on which the seizure is ordered to take place.
(2) A description of the counterfeit goods to be seized.
(3) The identity of the persons or class of persons to effect seizure.
(4) A description of the location or locations at which seizure is to occur.
(5) A hearing date not more than 10 court days after the last date on which seizure is ordered at which any person from whom goods are seized may appear and seek release of the seized goods. Any person from whom seizure is effected shall be served with the order at the time of seizure.
(c) Any person who causes seizure of goods that are not counterfeit shall be liable in an amount equal to the following:
(1) Any damages proximately caused to any person having a financial interest in the seized goods by the seizure of goods that are not counterfeit.
(2) Costs incurred in defending against seizure of noncounterfeit goods.
(3) Upon a showing that the person causing the seizure to occur acted in bad faith, expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees expended in defending against the seizure of any noncounterfeit or noninfringing goods.
(4) Punitive damages, if warranted.
(d) A person entitled to recover pursuant to subdivision (c) may seek a recovery by cross-claim or motion made in the trial court and served pursuant to Section 1011 of the Code of Civil Procedure. A person seeking a recovery pursuant to this section may join any surety on an undertaking posted pursuant to subdivision (b), and any judgment of liability shall bind the person liable pursuant to subdivision (c) and the surety jointly and severally, but the liability of the surety shall be limited to the amount of the undertaking.
(e) The court shall set the amount of the undertaking required by subdivision (b) in accordance with the probable recovery of damages, costs, and expenses under subdivision (c) if it were ultimately determined that the goods seized were not counterfeit.
(f) Any person entitled to recover under subdivision (c) may, within 30 days after the date of seizure, object to the undertaking on the grounds that the surety or the amount of undertaking is insufficient.
(g) The motion or application filed pursuant to subdivision (b) shall include a statement advising the person from whom the goods are seized that the undertaking has been filed, informing him or her of his or her right to object to the undertaking on the grounds that the surety or the amount of the undertaking is insufficient, and advising the person from whom the goods are seized that an objection to the undertaking must be made within 30 days after the date of seizure.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
14252.
The enumeration of any right or remedy herein shall not affect a registrant’s right to prosecute under any penal law of this state, including, but not limited to, Section 350 of the Penal Code.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
14254.
(a) Actions to require cancellation of a mark registered pursuant to this chapter or in mandamus to compel registration of a mark pursuant to this chapter shall be brought in the superior court.
(b) In an action in mandamus, the proceeding shall be based solely upon the record before the secretary. In an action for cancellation, the secretary shall not be made a party to the proceeding, but shall be notified of the filing of the complaint by the clerk of the court in which it is filed and shall be given the right to intervene in the action.
(c) In any action brought against a nonresident registrant, service may be effected upon the secretary as agent for service of the registrant in accordance with the procedures established for service upon nonresident corporations and business entities under Sections 416.10 to 416.40, inclusive, of the Code of Civil Procedure, and Sections 2110, 2111, and 2114 of the Corporations Code.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
14259.
Nothing herein shall adversely affect the rights or the enforcement of rights in marks acquired in good faith at any time within common law.
(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 10. Fees [14260- 14260.] ( Article 10 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14260.
Unless specified by the secretary, the fees payable herein are not refundable.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 11. Severability [14265- 14265.] ( Article 11 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14265.
If any provision of this chapter, or the application of such provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of this chapter shall not be affected thereby.
(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
ARTICLE 12. Miscellaneous [14270 - 14272] ( Article 12 added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. )
14270.
This chapter shall not affect any suit, proceeding, or appeal pending on January 1, 2008.
(Repealed and added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
14272.
The intent of this chapter is to provide a system of state trademark registration and protection substantially consistent with the federal system of trademark registration and protection under the Trademark Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1051 et seq.), as amended. To that end, the construction given the federal act should be examined as nonbinding authority for interpreting and construing this chapter.
(Added by Stats. 2007, Ch. 711, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2008.)
CHAPTER 3. Trade Names and Designations [14401 - 14495] ( Chapter 3 added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59. )
ARTICLE 1. Trade Names [14401 - 14405] ( Article 1 added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59. )
14401.
Any trade name may be transferred in the same manner as personal property in connection with the good will of the business in which it is used or the part thereof to which it is appurtenant, and the owner is entitled to the same protection by suits at law or in equity.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14402.
Any court of competent jurisdiction may restrain, by injunction, any use of trade names in violation of the rights defined in this chapter.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14403.
Every person who has in his possession, or who uses any cask, bottle, vessel, case, cover, label, brand, or other thing bearing, or having in any way connected with it, the trade name of another, for the purpose of disposing of any article other than that which such cask, bottle, vessel, case, cover, label, brand or other thing, originally contained, or is connected with by the owner of the trade name, with intent to deceive or defraud, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14404.
Every person who wilfully defaces, obliterates, or otherwise removes, destroys, or conceals the trade name of another, printed, branded, stamped, engraved, etched, blown, impressed, or otherwise attached to, or produced upon any cask, keg, bottle, vessel, siphon, can, case, or other package, for the purpose of selling or trafficking in such cask, keg, bottle, vessel, siphon, can, case, or other package, or refilling such cask, keg, bottle, vessel, siphon, can, case, or other package, with intent to defraud the owner thereof, without the consent of the owner, or unless the same has been purchased from the owner, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14405.
Every person who wilfully sells, or traffics in any cask, keg, bottle, vessel, siphon, can, case or other package bearing the trade name of another, printed, branded, stamped, engraved, etched, blown, or otherwise attached or produced thereon, or refills any such cask, keg, bottle, vessel, siphon, can, case, or other package with intent to defraud the owner thereof, without the consent of the owner, or unless it has been purchased from the owner, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
ARTICLE 1.5. Trade Name Registration [14411 - 14418] ( Article 1.5 added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 438. )
14411.
The filing of any fictitious business name statement by a person required to file such statement pursuant to Section 17910 shall establish a rebuttable presumption that the registrant has the exclusive right to use as a trade name the fictitious business name, as well as any confusingly similar trade name, in the county in which the statement is filed, if the registrant is the first to file such a statement containing the fictitious business name in that county, and is actually engaged in a trade or business utilizing such fictitious business name or a confusingly similar name in that county.
The rebuttable presumption created by this section shall be one affecting the burden of producing evidence.
(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 438.)
14412.
The rebuttable presumption created by Section 14411 shall be applicable until the fictitious business name statement is abandoned pursuant to Section 17922, or otherwise expires pursuant to Section 17920, and no new fictitious business name statement has been filed by the registrant, or in the case of any assignment or transfer no original fictitious business name statement has been filed by the assignee or transferee.
(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 438.)
14413.
For purposes of Section 14411 a fictitious business name statement filed after January 1, 1971, and deemed filed on July 1, 1971, under Section 8 of Chapter 618 of the 1970 Statutes shall be considered filed at the time a certificate was first filed under Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2466) of Title 10 of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, as it existed on the effective date of the filing, provided that the certificate had not expired prior to the filing under Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17900) of Part 3 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code.
(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 438.)
14414.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require or prohibit the filing in any county of any fictitious business name statement if such filing is not required or prohibited by Section 17910.
(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 438.)
14415.
The filing of articles of incorporation pursuant to Section 200 of the Corporations Code, in the case of a domestic corporation, or the obtaining of a certificate of qualification pursuant to Sections 2105 and 2106 of the Corporations Code, in the case of a foreign corporation, shall establish a rebuttable presumption that the corporation has the exclusive right to use as a trade name, in the state the corporate name set forth in the articles or certificate, as well as any confusingly similar trade name, if the corporation is the first to have filed the articles or obtained the certificate containing the corporate name, and is actually engaged in a trade or business utilizing that corporate name or a confusingly similar name.
If a foreign corporation continues to have authority to transact intrastate business pursuant to Section 2102 of the Corporations Code, the foreign corporation shall be considered to have obtained its certificate of qualification pursuant to law for the purposes of this section on the date it first qualified to transact intrastate business in this state.
The rebuttable presumption created by this section affects the burden of producing evidence.
(Amended by Stats. 1981, Ch. 714, Sec. 39.)
14416.
If, as to the same or a confusingly similar trade name, in a county, there are both a corporation entitled to the rebuttable presumption created by Section 14415 and a registrant entitled to the benefit of the presumption created by Section 14411, whichever has filed the fictitious business name statement, filed the articles of incorporation, or obtained the certificate of qualification first in time, and is actually engaged in a trade or business utilizing such fictitious business name, such corporate name, or a confusingly similar name, shall be entitled to the presumption as against the other, that he has the exclusive right to use such fictitious business name, or such corporate name, or a confusingly similar name, as a trade name in the county where the registrant has filed his fictitious business name statement.
(Added by Stats. 1972, Ch. 438.)
14417.
The filing of articles of incorporation pursuant to Section 200 of the Corporations Code shall not of itself authorize the use in this state of a corporate name in violation of the rights of another under the federal Trademark Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1051 et seq.), the Trademark Act (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 14200) of Division 6), the Fictitious Business Name Act (Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17900) of Division 7), or the common law, including rights in a trade name. The Secretary of State shall deliver a notice to this effect to each newly organized corporation.
(Added by Stats. 1983, Ch. 1317, Sec. 1.)
14418.
The filing of any fictitious business name statement pursuant to Section 17910 does not, of itself, authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another as established under this chapter, the federal law relating to trademarks (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1051 et seq.), or the common law, including rights in a trade name.
(Added by Stats. 1987, Ch. 437, Sec. 1.)
ARTICLE 2. Container Brands [14425 - 14438] ( Article 2 added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59. )
14425.
As used in this article:
(a) “Containers,” “equipment” and “supplies” means containers, equipment or supplies bearing a brand.
(b) “Brand” means any mark, name or device filed as a brand under this article.
(c) “Registrant” means a person who files a brand under this article.
(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 194, Sec. 1.)
14426.
Any corporation or association whose members might register a brand under this article, may itself register a brand under this article.
As used in this article, “member of a registrant” means a member who would be entitled to register the same brand under this article.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14427.
Any person, who is engaged in the manufacture, packing, canning, bottling, or selling of any substance in containers with his or her name, or other mark or device impressed or produced thereon, or whose equipment or supplies, owned by and used in his or her business, bears a name or other mark or device impressed or produced thereon, may file in the office of the Secretary of State after payment of the fee set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 12193 of the Government Code, a description of the name, mark, or device so used, as a brand.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 1000, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2000.)
14429.
There shall be included as a part of each brand the words, “Registered in San Andreas,” or the abbreviation, “Reg. Cal.”
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14430.
It is unlawful for any person except a person named in subdivision (a) to do any of the acts named in subdivision (b).
(a) Persons excepted:
(1) The owner of the brand which has been filed in accordance with this article.
(2) The registrant.
(3) Members of any corporation or association which is the registrant.
(4) A person who has the written consent of the registrant describing the containers, equipment or supplies to which it applies.
(5) A person who has purchased the container, equipment or supplies from the owner of the brand appearing thereon.
(b) Prohibited acts:
(1) Possessing, using, or filling with any substance any container.
(2) Obliterating or concealing the brand on any container, supplies or equipment.
(3) Selling, buying, giving, taking or otherwise trafficking in any container, equipment, or supplies.
(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 194, Sec. 4.)
14431.
The use by any person other than the registrant, or owner of the brand and other than the members of the registrant of any container, supplies or equipment, without the written consent provided for in this article, or the possession by any junk dealer, or dealer in secondhand articles, of any containers, supplies or equipment, is presumptive evidence of unlawful use of or traffic in such containers, supplies, or equipment.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14432.
Any person acquiring containers, supplies or equipment, by purchase or other lawful means, and having the written consent provided for in this article is not required again to file the description, but acquires as a part of his or her purchase all benefit that the vendor has.
(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 194, Sec. 5.)
14433.
The acceptance by the owner, or any person lawfully entitled to their use, of any money as a deposit to secure the safekeeping and return of containers, equipment or supplies does not constitute a sale of the containers, supplies or equipment, either optional or otherwise, in any proceeding under this article.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14434.
It is the duty of every person who finds or receives in the regular course of business or in any other manner, any containers, supplies or equipment to make diligent effort to find the owner and return the containers, supplies or equipment to him.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14435.
(a) Whenever any registrant or any member of the registrant takes an oath before any magistrate that he has reason to believe, and does believe, that any of the containers, supplies or equipment mentioned in this article, are being unlawfully sold, filled or used, or are secreted in any place, the magistrate shall issue a search warrant to discover and obtain them;
(b) The magistrate may cause to be brought before him, the person in whose possession the containers, equipment or supplies are found, and if he finds that the person has been guilty of a violation of this article, he shall impose the punishment prescribed in this article, and also award the possession of the containers, equipment or supplies taken upon the search warrant to the owner, or to the corporation or association of which the owner is a member.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14436.
The violation of any of the provisions of this article is a misdemeanor, punishable:
(a) For the first offense by imprisonment for not less than 10 days nor more than six months or by a fine of fifty dollars ($50) for each and every container, or article of supply or equipment so filled, sold, used, disposed of, held, bought or trafficked in, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(b) For each subsequent offense by imprisonment for not less than 20 days nor more than one year, or by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each and every container, or article of supply or equipment so filled, sold, used, disposed of, held, bought or trafficked in, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 194, Sec. 6.)
14437.
Every brand registered and published under Chapter 431 of the Statutes of 1921, as amended, prior to the effective date of Chapter 1162 of the Statutes of 1931, and all containers, equipment and supplies bearing such a brand shall be entitled to all the protection and benefits of this chapter, and it is not necessary for any such brand to be changed or reregistered on account of the provisions of Chapter 1162 of the Statutes of 1931 and the provisions of this article which constitute a restatement and continuation thereof.
(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 194, Sec. 7.)
14438.
Any registrant whose containers, equipment or supplies are involved in any violation of the provisions of this article may sue the person or persons who violated said provisions and, upon proof of such violation, shall recover threefold the replacement cost new of the containers, equipment or supplies so involved and costs of suit including a reasonable attorney’s fee. No action shall be brought under this section or Section 14436 against a person who obtained possession of the containers, equipment or supplies pursuant to a contract with the registrant for the delivery of agricultural commodities, unless such person has failed to return to the registrant such containers, equipment and supplies to the point of delivery within 10 days after receipt of a demand for such return sent by registered mail to such person by the registrant.
(Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 194, Sec. 8.)
ARTICLE 3. Farm Names [14460 - 14465] ( Article 3 added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59. )
14460.
“Farm,” as used in this article, includes ranch, estate and villa.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14461.
Any farm owner or lessee in this state may register the name of his or her farm with the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State shall issue a certificate setting forth the name and location of the farm and the name of the owner upon payment of the fee as set forth in subdivision (g) of Section 12193 of the Government Code.
(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 1000, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2000.)
14462.
Any person selling or marketing the products grown on a farm may use the name of the farm as a trade-mark on the products of the farm, in the same manner as provided for other trade-marks, and subject to the same rights and duties, as provided in this code.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14463.
Registration under this article shall have the same effect as the registration of a trade-mark.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14464.
When any name has been registered as the name of any farm, that name shall not be registered as the name of any other farm in this State, unless designating words have been prefixed or added thereto. The Secretary of State shall register such name only for the person entitled thereto.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14465.
Any person who registers as his own, any name already in use in this State, knowing that the name is already adopted as the name of a farm, or makes use of the name when regularly registered and in use by any other person entitled thereto under this article is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
ARTICLE 4. Laundry Supply Designations [14480 - 14491] ( Article 4 added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59. )
14480.
As used in this article:
(a) “Registrant” means any person who files and publishes a name, mark or device under this article.
(b) “Supplies” means supplies bearing a name, mark or device filed and published under this article.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14481.
Any person engaged in the business of supplying clean laundered garments, towels, table linen or other articles, the property of the supplier, in a regular service, periodically exchanging clean articles for soiled for a fixed compensation, may adopt and use a name or other mark or device woven, impressed or produced thereon as an indicium of ownership, and may register the name, mark or device by filing and publishing it under this article.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14482.
In order to register a name, mark or device under this article, the supplier shall do all of the following:
(a) File in the office of the Secretary of State a description of the names, marks, or devices so used.
(b) Cause the description of the name, mark or device to be printed once a week for three successive weeks in a newspaper published in the county in which the principal place of business of the supplier is located.
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 506, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)
14483.
The registrant shall pay to the Secretary of State for filing each laundry supply designation described and for issuing a certificate of filing a fee as set forth in subdivision (e) of Section 12193 of the Government Code.
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 506, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2001.)
14484.
It is unlawful for any persons except a person named in subdivision (a) to do any of the acts named in subdivision (b):
(a) Persons excepted:
(1) The registrant.
(2) A person who has the written consent of the registrant.
(3) A person who has purchased the supplies from the registrant.
(b) Prohibited acts:
(1) Selling, buying, renting, giving, taking or otherwise trafficking in any supplies bearing a name, mark or device filed and published under this article.
(2) Obliterating or otherwise covering up, concealing or removing a name, mark or device filed and published under this article, from such supplies.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14485.
The acceptance by the registrant of any sum of money as a deposit to secure the safekeeping and return of the supplies does not constitute a sale of the supplies either optional or otherwise, in any proceeding under this article.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14486.
The use by any person, other than the registrant of any supplies without the written consent provided in this article or the possession of supplies so marked by any junk dealer or dealer of secondhand articles is presumptive evidence of unlawful use of or traffic in such supplies.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14487.
Any person or any member of any firm, corporation or association acquiring supplies by purchase or other lawful means and having the written consent provided for in this article, is not required again to file and publish the description but shall, as to supplies described in the written consent, acquire as part of the purchase all such rights and benefits as the vendor has under this article.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14488.
It is the duty of every person who finds or receives in the regular course of business or in any other manner, any supplies to make diligent effort to find the owner and restore or return the supplies.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14489.
Whenever the registrant or any member of any corporation or association which is the registrant takes an oath before any magistrate that he has reason to believe and does believe that any supplies are being unlawfully used, sold or secreted in any place, the magistrate shall issue a search warrant to discover and obtain the supplies and may also bring before him the person in whose possession the articles are found.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14490.
If the magistrate finds that any person brought before him has been guilty of a violation of this article he shall impose the punishment prescribed in this article and also award the possession of the property taken upon the search warrant to the owner.
(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 59.)
14491.
The violation of any of the provisions of this article is a misdemeanor, except that if the violation consists of unlawfully using, selling, or secreting in any place supplies of a value exceeding nine hundred fifty dollars ($950), the violation is a felony.
(Amended by Stats. 2009, 3rd Ex. Sess., Ch. 28, Sec. 1. (SB 18 3x) Effective January 25, 2010.)
ARTICLE 5. Names Other Than Trade Names [14492 - 14495] ( Article 5 added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1931. )
14492.
As used in this article, the following terms have the meanings set forth in this section unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “Organization” includes any lodge, order, beneficial association, fraternal or beneficial society or association, historical, military, or veterans organization, labor union, or any other similar society, organization, or association or degree, branch, subordinate lodge, or auxiliary thereof.
(b) “Name and Ownership.” Name is that name that has first been adopted and used by an organization within or beyond the limits of this state, which name has been registered in the Office of the Secretary of State, and the name of any organization that has complied with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 17900) of Part 3 of Division 7, unless the name conflicts with a name duly registered in the Office of the Secretary of State prior to the compliance with those provisions, and any organization that has so first adopted and used the name is its original owner.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 2007.)
14493.
Any court of competent jurisdiction may restrain by injunction: the use of the name of any organization in a commercial venture, trade or business, or in the solicitation of subscriptions for or sale of any newspaper, book, or other publication, or in the solicitation of advertising in any newspaper, book, or other publication or in the solicitation of, donations, aid, or other benefits by any other person, firm, or corporation representing directly or indirectly that such commercial venture, trade or business, newspaper or book or other publication or donation or solicitation for donation, is sponsored, endorsed or being offered by the organization owning such name, unless the person, firm, or corporation so using the name is entitled to use the name under the constitution, by-laws or rules of the organization owning such name, or by the written consent of such organization so owning the name to such use.
(Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1931.)
14494.
In any action under Section 14493 it is not necessary to allege or prove actual damages or the threat thereof or actual injury or the threat thereof, to the plaintiff, but in addition to injunctive relief, any plaintiff in any such action is entitled to recover the amount of the actual damages, if any, sustained by such plaintiff.
(Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1931.)
14495.
The use of the name of any organization by any person, firm, or corporation not entitled to use the same under the constitution, by-laws, rules or regulations of the organization which owns the name or by the written consent of such organization, is presumptive evidence of the unlawful use or traffic in such name.
(Added by Stats. 1955, Ch. 1931.)
CHAPTER 4. Solicitations for Financial Services [14700 - 14704] ( Chapter 4 added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 197, Sec. 1. )
14700.
(a) “Lender” as used in this chapter means a bank, savings and loan association, savings bank, credit union, industrial bank, or other lender licensed to make loans in San Andreas or a subsidiary or an affiliate of one of those entities.
(b) “Financial services” as used in this chapter means financial services or products that are considered to be financial in nature as described in Section 1843(k) of Title 12 of the United States Code.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 197, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)
14701.
(a) No person shall include the name, trade name, logo, or tagline of a lender in a written solicitation for financial services directed to a consumer who has obtained a loan from the lender without the consent of the lender, unless the solicitation clearly and conspicuously states that the person is not sponsored by or affiliated with the lender and that the solicitation is not authorized by the lender, which shall be identified by name. This statement shall be made in close proximity to, and in the same or larger font size as, the first and the most prominent use or uses of the name, trade name, logo, or tagline in the solicitation, including on an envelope or through an envelope window containing the solicitation.
(b) No person shall use the name of a lender or a name similar to that of a lender in a solicitation for financial services directed to consumers if that use could cause a reasonable person to be confused, mistaken, or deceived initially or otherwise as to either of the following:
(1) The lender’s sponsorship, affiliation, connection, or association with the person using the name.
(2) The lender’s approval or endorsement of the person using the name or the person’s services or products.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 197, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)
14702.
No person shall include a consumer’s loan number or loan amount, whether or not publicly available, in a solicitation for services or products without the consent of the consumer, unless the solicitation clearly and conspicuously states, when applicable, that the person is not sponsored by or affiliated with the lender and that the solicitation is not authorized by the lender, and states that the consumer’s loan information was not provided to that person by that lender. This statement shall be made in close proximity to, and in the same or larger font as, the first and the most prominent use or uses of the consumer’s loan information in the solicitation, including on an envelope or through an envelope window containing the solicitation.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 197, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)
14703.
It is not a violation of this chapter for a person in an advertisement or solicitation for services or products to use the name, trade name, logo, or tagline of a lender without the statement described in subdivision (a) of Section 14701 if that use is exclusively part of a comparison of like services or products in which the person clearly and conspicuously identifies itself or that otherwise constitutes nominative fair use. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed or interpreted to alter or modify the trade name and trademark laws of this state, including Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 14200) and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 14400).
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 197, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)
14704.
(a) A person who violates Section 14701 or 14702 shall be subject to an injunction against that use. In an action to enjoin a violation of subdivision (a) of Section 14701 or Section 14702, it is not necessary to allege or to prove actual damage to the plaintiff, and irreparable harm and interim harm to the plaintiff shall be presumed. In the action to enjoin a violation of subdivision (b) of Section 14701, affidavits that show consumers were confused, mistaken, or deceived as to a matter described in subdivision (b) of Section 14701 is prima facie evidence of damage and injury to the plaintiff. In addition to injunctive relief, the plaintiff is entitled to recover in the action the amount of the actual damages, if any, it sustained.
(b) The prevailing party in an action brought under this chapter is entitled to recover its costs and reasonable attorney’s fees as the court may determine.
(Added by Stats. 2004, Ch. 197, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)