<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Helvetica;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Calibri Light";
panose-1:2 15 3 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Avenir Next";}
@font-face
{font-family:"Trebuchet MS";
panose-1:2 11 6 3 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:remialcxesans;}
@font-face
{font-family:template-5QSGLunPEem16QANOhMLNA;}
@font-face
{font-family:zone-1;}
@font-face
{font-family:zones-AQ;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.apple-converted-space
{mso-style-name:apple-converted-space;}
span.EmailStyle20
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
color:#156082;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_Hlk494874294"></a><a name="_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082">I just got done briefing
an opposition in which this was an issue – the opposer’s priority relied solely on their earlier filing date than our client’s filing date. Our client, the applicant, has in fact started using their mark subsequent to Opposer’s filing date but the use has
not yet been alleged in the application. <o:p></o:p></span></font></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082">The TTAB recognizes constructive priority
as a prior right if that effective filing date precedes the first use or filing date of the defendant. However, that filing date priority
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">is conditioned on the Opposer’s asserted application actually registering</span></b> and that there has been bona fide intent to use. If that earlier filing date of the Opposer is proven to be earlier than any filing date or
use of the defendant, the Opposer will have priority even if the Opposer alleges use after the defendant’s first use and/or alleges use with a first use date later than defendant’s first use date. Isn’t that whole point of the benefit of filing based on ITU?
Or am I missing something? <o:p></o:p></span></font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082">Now, I do not know what happens if
Opposer’s application never registers during the opposition proceeding, which is the case in my opposition. My opposition has some very strange facts and we had several good arguments to attack the Opposer’s bona fide intent to use.
<o:p></o:p></span></font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082">Re-reading your fact pattern where
you said the Opposer keeps filing SOU extension requests, if you are still at the pleading stage, I think your best defense is to challenge their bona fide intent to use. This priority claim of the Opposer also goes to the Opposer’s standing that they need
to prove. If the opposition lasts longer than the Opposer’s final deadline to file their SOU and the Opposer never files their SOU, their whole basis for the opposition and their standing is gone and the opposition should be dismissed. <o:p></o:p></span></font></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></span></span></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><b><font size="3" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;font-weight:bold">Alex
Butterman<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"><font size="3" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">Partner<b><span style="font-weight:bold">
</span></b></span></font></span></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874294"></span><span style="mso-bookmark:_Hlk494874176"></span><b><font color="#37428a" face="Avenir Next"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next";color:#37428A;font-weight:bold"><o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3" color="#37428a" face="Avenir Next"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Avenir Next";color:#37428A;font-weight:bold">DUNLAP </span></font></b><b><font color="#616a73" face="Avenir Next"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next";color:#616A73;font-weight:bold">BENNETT </span></font></b><b><font color="#37428a" face="Avenir Next"><span style="font-family:"Avenir Next";color:#37428A;font-weight:bold">&
LUDWIG</span></font></b><font color="#156082" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#156082;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><i><font size="3" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;font-style:italic">211 Church St., SE; Leesburg, VA 20175<o:p></o:p></span></font></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><font size="3" color="black" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">T: 703-777-7319</span></font><font color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">
– </span></font><font size="2" color="#156082"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:#156082;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="https://www.dbllawyers.com/attorney/alex-butterman/"><b><font size="3" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;font-weight:bold">BIO</span></font></b></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="https://www.dbllawyers.com/" title="https://www.dbllawyers.com/"><font color="#156082" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#156082;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="32" height="32" style="width:.3333in;height:.3333in" id="Picture_x0020_21" src="cid:image001.png@01DA71A7.C38B89F0" alt="Icon
Description automatically generated"></span></font></a></span></font><font color="#212121" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121"> </span></font><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dbllawyers/" title="https://www.facebook.com/dbllawyers/"><font color="#156082" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#156082;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" style="width:.325in;height:.325in" id="Picture_x0020_20" src="cid:image002.png@01DA71A7.C38B89F0" alt="Icon
Description automatically generated"></span></font></a><font color="#212121" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121"> </span></font><a href="http://linkedin.com/company/dbllawyers" title="http://linkedin.com/company/dbllawyers"><font color="#156082" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#156082;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" style="width:.325in;height:.325in" id="Picture_x0020_19" src="cid:image003.png@01DA71A7.C38B89F0" alt="Icon
Description automatically generated"></span></font></a><font color="#212121" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121"> </span></font><a href="https://twitter.com/DBLLawyers?lang=en" title="https://twitter.com/DBLLawyers?lang=en"><font color="#156082" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#156082;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" style="width:.325in;height:.325in" id="Picture_x0020_18" src="cid:image004.png@01DA71A7.C38B89F0" alt="Logo, icon
Description automatically generated"></span></font></a><font color="#212121" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121"> </span></font><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL1n8Wupq5xZA8C74gCcw0w" title="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL1n8Wupq5xZA8C74gCcw0w"><font size="4" color="black" face="Calibri Light"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" style="width:.325in;height:.325in" id="Picture_x0020_17" src="cid:image005.png@01DA71A7.C38B89F0" alt="Icon
Description automatically generated"></span></font></a><font color="#212121" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121"> </span></font><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dbl_lawyers/?hl=en" title="https://www.instagram.com/dbl_lawyers/?hl=en"><font size="4" color="black" face="Calibri Light"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:black;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" style="width:.325in;height:.325in" id="Picture_x0020_16" src="cid:image006.png@01DA71A7.C38B89F0" alt="Icon
Description automatically generated"></span></font></a><font color="#212121" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#212121"> </span></font><a href="https://www.dbllawyers.com/podcasts/" title="https://www.dbllawyers.com/podcasts/"><font color="#156082" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#156082;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" style="width:.325in;height:.325in" id="Picture_x0020_15" src="cid:image007.png@01DA71A7.C38B89F0" alt="Icon
Description automatically generated"></span></font></a><font color="#156082" face="Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#156082;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:3.0pt"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">This electronic message contains information from Dunlap
Bennett & Ludwig PLLC and may be confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, or use of the contents is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify us and delete the message without copying
or disclosing it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="#156082" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#156082"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:bold">From:</span></font></b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> E-trademarks
<e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com> <b><span style="font-weight:bold">On Behalf Of
</span></b>Ramon G. Vela Cordova via E-trademarks<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b> Friday, March 8, 2024 04:19 PM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b> Kevin Grierson <kgrierson@cm.law>; Roberto Ledesma <rl@everythingtrademarks.com><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b> Ramon G. Vela Cordova <rvela@velacordova.com>; Carl Oppedahl <e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b> [EXT] Re: [E-trademarks] Alleging Priority in Notice of Opposition<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The conclusion in Kevin's last paragraph below was the same I reached when thinking about this. Also, maybe the question can be resolved by asking what are the pleadings in an opposition?
My understanding is that the pleadings are the notice of opposition and answer, see 37 C.F.R. § 2.116(c) and TBMP 302. So the application's use date is not part of a pleading and is not evidence. Therefore, it isn’t a "date of first use on which defendant
can rely”.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ramón<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">On Mar 8, 2024, at 4:11</span></font><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></font>PM, Kevin Grierson <<a href="mailto:kgrierson@cm.law">kgrierson@cm.law</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I think you’re conflating the date to be proved and what needs to be plead. The opposer needs to allege use prior to applicant’s first use, but I think at the pleading stage opposer
wouldn’t have to allege use prior to a specific date claimed by the applicant, just an allegation of use by opposer and a claim that opposer’s use was earlier than applicant’s actual use date to be proved at trial. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I agree the wording in the TBMP is odd, but it’s hard to conceive that a claimed and unproven DOFU in an application can foreclose an opposition by someone who started use after
that unproven date.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:7.5pt 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:7.5pt 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3" color="#0f172e" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0F172E;font-weight:bold">Kevin Grierson</span></font></b><b><font size="1" color="white" face="remialcxesans"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:remialcxesans;color:white;font-weight:bold"></span></font></b><b><font size="1" color="white" face="template-5QSGLunPEem16QANOhMLNA"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:template-5QSGLunPEem16QANOhMLNA;color:white;font-weight:bold"></span></font></b><b><font size="1" color="white" face="zone-1"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:zone-1;color:white;font-weight:bold"></span></font></b><b><font size="1" color="white" face="zones-AQ"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;font-family:zones-AQ;color:white;font-weight:bold"></span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="2" color="gray" face="Trebuchet MS"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:gray;font-weight:bold"><a href="http://www.culhanemeadows.com/" target="_blank"><font size="3" color="#0f172e"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#0F172E;text-decoration:none">CULHANE</span></font><font size="4" color="#dc1d3c"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;color:#DC1D3C;text-decoration:none">|</span></font><font size="3" color="#0f172e"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;color:#0F172E;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">MEADOWS</span></font><font color="#0f172e"><span style="color:#0F172E;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none"> </span></font><font size="1" color="#0f172e"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;color:#0F172E;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none">PLLC</span></font></a></span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:2.25pt 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:gray"><image001.png></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="gray" face="Calibri (Body)"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";color:gray"> <a href="tel:757-726-7799" target="_blank"><font color="gray"><span style="color:gray;text-decoration:none">757-726-7799</span></font></a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:gray"><image002.png></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="gray" face="Calibri (Body)"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";color:gray"> <a href="fax:866-521-5663" target="_blank"><font color="gray"><span style="color:gray;text-decoration:none">866-521-5663</span></font></a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:gray"><image003.png></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="gray" face="Calibri (Body)"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri \(Body\)";color:gray"> <a href="mailto:kgrierson@cm.law" target="_blank"><font color="gray"><span style="color:gray;text-decoration:none">kgrierson@cm.law</span></font></a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor;border-image: none">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:bold">From:</span></font></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span></font></span><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Roberto
Ledesma <<a href="mailto:rl@everythingtrademarks.com">rl@everythingtrademarks.com</a>><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Friday, March 8, 2024 3:04 PM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Carl Oppedahl <<a href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Kevin Grierson <<a href="mailto:kgrierson@cm.law">kgrierson@cm.law</a>>;<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:rvela@velacordova.com">rvela@velacordova.com</a><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Re: [E-trademarks] Alleging Priority in Notice of Opposition</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt">
<div style="border:solid red 3.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:12.0pt;background:red">
<font size="3" color="white" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:white">EXTERNAL EMAIL</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Kevin and Ramon -- thank you for your comments. My initial impression was the same, I'm just thrown off by the TBMP section on pleading priority, which states that the Opposer's
filing date for purposes of properly asserting priority must be prior to any date of first use on which the defendant/Applicant can rely:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">"A plaintiff must plead (and later prove) priority of use. In order to properly assert priority, a plaintiff must allege facts showing proprietary rights in its pleaded mark that
are prior to defendant’s rights in the challenged mark. Such rights may be shown by, for example, ownership of an application with a filing date (or a registration with an underlying application filing date)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><u><span style="font-weight:bold">prior
to any date of first use on which defendant can rely</span></u></b>, prior trademark or service mark use, or prior use analogous to trademark or service mark use."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">If the defendant/Applicant asserts a date of first use in the opposed application that is earlier than the Opposer's filing date, then that is obviously an earlier date of first
use on which the defendant can rely. None of the cases cited in the TBMP section address this particular fact pattern, which is surprising to me.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">RL<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">On Fri, Mar 8, 2024 at 2:19</span></font><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></font>PM Kevin Grierson via E-trademarks <<a href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<blockquote style="border:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 6.0pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204, 204, 204);border-image: none">
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Right. I don’t have case law for it, but I have to think that the only date that the Opposer would have to plead behind is the filing date, because filing gives presumptive priority
as of that date. Any other DOFU claimed by applicant would be subject to proof of use.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:7.5pt 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100.0%;border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:7.5pt 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3" color="#0f172e" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0F172E;font-weight:bold">Kevin Grierson</span></font></b><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.culhanemeadows.com/" target="_blank"><b><font size="3" color="#0f172e" face="Trebuchet MS"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:#0F172E;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none">CULHANE</span></font></b><b><font size="4" color="#dc1d3c" face="Trebuchet MS"><span style="font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:#DC1D3C;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none">|</span></font></b><font size="3" color="#0f172e" face="Trebuchet MS"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:#0F172E;text-decoration:none">MEADOWS</span></font><font size="2" color="#0f172e" face="Trebuchet MS"><span style="font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:#0F172E;text-decoration:none"> </span></font><font size="1" color="#0f172e" face="Trebuchet MS"><span style="font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;color:#0F172E;text-decoration:none">PLLC</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:2.25pt 0in 0in 0in">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:gray"><image001.png></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:gray"> </span></font><a href="tel:757-726-7799" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="gray"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:gray;text-decoration:none">757-726-7799</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:gray"><image002.png></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:gray"> 866-521-5663</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:1.0pt;color:gray"><image003.png></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
<td style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="2" color="gray" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:gray"> </span></font><a href="mailto:kgrierson@cm.law" target="_blank"><font size="2" color="gray"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:gray;text-decoration:none">kgrierson@cm.law</span></font></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in"></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in;border-image: none;border-color:currentcolor">
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;font-weight:bold">From:</span></font></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span></font></span><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">E-trademarks
<<a href="mailto:e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">e-trademarks-bounces@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><span style="font-weight:bold">On Behalf Of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b>Ramon
G. Vela Cordova via E-trademarks<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Sent:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Friday, March 8, 2024 11:35 AM<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">To:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>For trademark practitioners. This is not for laypersons to seek legal advice. <<a href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Cc:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Ramon G. Vela Cordova <<a href="mailto:rvela@velacordova.com" target="_blank">rvela@velacordova.com</a>><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold">Subject:</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Re: [E-trademarks] Alleging Priority in Notice of Opposition</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="3" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt">
<div style="border:solid red 3.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:12.0pt;background:red">
<font size="3" color="white" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:white">EXTERNAL EMAIL</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Hi Robert,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I don't know the answer, but would ask whether applicant can in fact rely on the use date stated in its application for purposes of a motion to dismiss. They certainly cannot rely
on that statement as evidence of use.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Ramón<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<blockquote style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">On Mar 7, 2024, at 4:27</span></font><font face="Arial"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span></font>PM, Roberto Ledesma via E-trademarks <<a href="mailto:e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">e-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a>>
wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Hi All -- I think I know the answer to this, but it isn't entirely clear to me. Here's the question:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Is priority properly alleged when the Opposer is relying on the filing date of an earlier pending application (not registered yet -- extensions have been filed for the Statement
of Use) against an Applicant's later-filed application but one that includes an Allegation of Use with a date of first use that pre-dates the filing date of Opposer's prior pending application?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Based on the pending filings at issue, the Applicant claims priority of use. Opposer's allegations in its Notice of Opposition completely ignore this fact and only mention the parties'
application filing dates.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">TBMP section 309.03(c)(2) A. reads:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">"A plaintiff must plead (and later prove) priority of use. In order to properly assert priority, a plaintiff must allege facts showing proprietary rights in its pleaded mark that
are prior to defendant’s rights in the challenged mark. Such rights may be shown by, for example, ownership of an application with a filing date (or a registration with an underlying application filing date)<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><u><span style="font-weight:bold">prior
to any date of first use on which defendant can rely</span></u></b>, prior trademark or service mark use, or prior use analogous to trademark or service mark use." Emphasis added.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The earlier date of first use in the Allegation of Use in the Opposed Application is clearly a prior date on which the defendant/Applicant can rely. So it seems the Opposer has
failed to properly allege priority to support a likelihood of confusion claim and the Opposition should be dismissed. Am I missing something here?<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Any thoughts/comments are appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Roberto Ledesma<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://everythingtrademarks.com/" target="_blank">EverythingTrademarks.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://linkedin.com/in/robertoledesma" target="_blank">Linkedin.com/in/RobertoLedesma</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">--<br>
E-trademarks mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:E-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">E-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a><br>
<a href="http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><font size="1" face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Best regards,<br>
RGVC</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><br>
<image004.png></span></font><font size="1" face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><br>
<br>
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE<br>
This is a confidential and privileged communication between the sender and the intended recipient(s). Access to this communication by anyone else is unauthorized. It is prohibited and unlawful for any unintended recipient to disclose, copy, distribute, or
use in any other way the contents of this communication or any attachment thereto. If you have received this communication in error, please delete it immediately and notify the sender at (787) 594-0481. Thank you.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">--<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br>
E-trademarks mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:E-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">E-trademarks@oppedahl-lists.com</a><br>
<a href="http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com" target="_blank">http://oppedahl-lists.com/mailman/listinfo/e-trademarks_oppedahl-lists.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="1" color="black" face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black">Best regards,<br>
RGVC<br style="font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: auto;text-align:start;widows: auto;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;word-spacing:0px">
<br>
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><br>
<img border="0" width="975" height="208" style="width:10.1583in;height:2.1666in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image008.png@01DA71A7.C38B89F0"></span></font><font size="1" color="black" face="Helvetica"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black"><br>
<br>
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE<br>
This is a confidential and privileged communication between the sender and the intended recipient(s). Access to this communication by anyone else is unauthorized. It is prohibited and unlawful for any unintended recipient to disclose, copy, distribute, or
use in any other way the contents of this communication or any attachment thereto. If you have received this communication in error, please delete it immediately and notify the sender at (787) 594-0481. Thank you.</span></font>
<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Aptos"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>