702.04(c)    ACR Conversion - Summary Judgment Briefs

In circumstances where the parties have already filed summary judgment briefs, the Board may, in appropriate cases, invite the parties to agree to the Board’s treatment of the summary judgment briefs and evidence as the final records and briefs. [ Note 1.] Alternatively, the parties may stipulate to treating the summary judgment briefs and evidence as the record and final briefs on the case, even in the absence of an invitation to do so extended by the Board. [ Note 2.]

In either case, the parties must stipulate that the Board may resolve any genuine disputes of material fact that may be presented by the record or which may be discovered by the panel considering the case at final hearing.

For more information regarding ACR motions for summary judgment, see TBMP § 528.05(a)(2).

NOTES:

 1.   See, e.g., Daniel J. Quirk Inc. v. Village Car Co., 120 USPQ2d 1146, 1147 and 1147 n.5 (TTAB 2016); Frito-Lay North America, Inc. v. Princeton Vanguard, LLC, 109 USPQ2d 1949, 1950 (TTAB 2014) (after suggestion by Board in order denying motion for summary judgment, parties stipulated to forego trial and rely on evidence submitted in support of the motions for summary judgment, supplemented by expert declarations, trial briefs and an oral hearing), vacated and remanded on other grounds, Princeton Vanguard , LLC v. Frito-Lay North America, Inc., 786 F.3d 960, 114 USPQ2d 1827 (Fed. Cir. 2015), original decision aff’d, Frito-Lay North America, Inc. v. Princeton Vanguard, LLC, 124 USPQ2d 1184 (TTAB 2017), dismissed without prejudice sub nom. Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. v. Frito-Lay North America, Inc., 414 F. Supp. 3d 822, 2019 USPQ2d 401574 (W.D.N.C. 2019), reversed and remanded on other grounds, 991 F.3d 512 (4th Cir. 2021).

 2.   See, e.g., Bond v. Taylor, 119 USPQ2d 1049, 1051 (TTAB 2016); Freeman v. National Association of Realtors, 64 USPQ2d 1700, 1701 (TTAB 2002) (parties stipulated that case would be decided on petitioner’s motion for summary judgment and respondent’s response); Miller Brewing Co. v. Coy International Corp., 230 USPQ 675, 676 (TTAB 1986) (parties stipulated that cross motions for summary judgment would be treated as testimony, evidence and briefs at final hearing).