At page 860 Proving likelihood of trademark confusion as a matter of law51 citing cases“if the court determines as a matter of law from the pleadings that the goods are unrelated and confusion is unlikely, the complaint should be dismissed.”
- Gearhead Prods., Inc. v. Gearhead Outfitters, Inc., No. 2:23-cv-02331 (E.D. Cal. Aug. 14, 2024).(If the court 26 determines as a matter of law from the pleadings that the goods are unrelated and confusion is 27 unlikely, the complaint should be dismissed.)
- Purblack, Inc. v. Cent. Coast Agric., Inc., No. 3:25-cv-03654 (S.D. Cal. Aug. 13, 2026).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996) (citing Tomlin 2 v. Walt Disney Productions, 18 Cal.App.3d 226, 235 (1971) (California claims)). 3 As to the first element, Plaintiff has satisfied its burden by demonstrating a valid 4 ownership inter…
- Gibralter, LLC, et al. v. DMS Flowers, LLC, et al., No. 1:24-cv-00174 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 11, 2025). Co., 7 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996).
- Regalo Int'l LLC v. Aborder Prods. Inc, No. 3:24-cv-03270 (N.D. Tex. Aug. 28, 2025).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860-61 (9th Cir. 1996).
- Sueros & Bebidas Rehidratantes, S.A. de C.V. v. Bargain Max Wholesale, Inc., No. 1:24-cv-00893 (E.D. Cal. July 28, 2025).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996). 11 Defendants further dispute that Alhomedi is the alter-ego of Bargain Max.
- SATA GmbH & Co. KG v. Taizhou Tool-Bar Mach. Co., Ltd., No. 2:24-cv-02069 (D. Nev. June 12, 2025).Murray v. Cable 14 NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996). 15 Typically, the “likelihood of consumer confusion” question is a primarily factual 16 determination that many courts have held is not appropriate to determine at the motion to 17…
- Eli Lilly & Co. v. Alderwood Surgical Ctr. LLC, No. 2:24-cv-00878 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 7, 2025). Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996); see 23 also United States Futsal Fed’n v. USA Futsal LLC, No. 17-CV-04206-LB, 2018 WL 2298868 , at 24 *10–12 (N.D.
- Davis v. Blue Tongue Films, No. 23-3968 (9th Cir. Dec. 20, 2024).unpublished Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996), as amended (Aug. 6, 1996).
- Good Clean Love, Inc. v. Audacious Beauty, LLC, No. 6:24-cv-00444 (D. Or. Oct. 17, 2024).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996), as amended (Aug. 6, 1996); Toho Co. v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 645 F.2d 788, 790-91 (9th Cir. 1981).
- Shake 'N Buns, Inc. v. California Burger Express, Inc., No. 1:23-cv-01711 (E.D. Cal. June 5, 2024). Cal. Mar. 13, 2018) (citing Murray v. Cable Nat’l Broad. 26 Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996)). 27 Defendant also asserts that Plaintiff’s statutory and common law claims of trademark 1 trademark rights and that, to the extent the clai…
Show 37 more citing cases
- Smith Roofing & Siding, L.L.C. v. Smith, No. 4:23-cv-00310, 2024 WL 1308983 (D. Idaho Mar. 26, 2024).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996).
- Gulliver's Tavern Inc. v. Foxy Lady Inc, No. 3:23-cv-05027 (W.D. Wash. Dec. 4, 2023).(The confusion must be probable, not simply a possibility.” (internal quotation marks 24 omitted))
- 46 Labs LLC v. Parler LLC, No. 2:21-cv-01006 (D. Nev. July 27, 2022).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996). 1 In determining the likelihood of confusion at the motion to dismiss stage, this Court 2 must consider whether 46 Labs has stated a plausible case that consumers would be confused by 3 Parler’s use o…
- Boyajian Prods., LLC v. Enby LLC, No. 3:20-cv-01991 (D. Or. Nov. 1, 2021).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996), as amended (Aug. 6, 1996).
- Arizona Bd. of Regents v. Doe, 555 F. Supp. 3d 805 (D. Ariz. 2021).published Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996) 3 (“If the court determines as a matter of law from the pleadings that . . . confusion is unlikely, 4 the complaint should be dismissed.”). 5 B.
- Adler v. McNeil Consultants, 10 F.4th 422 (5th Cir. 2021).publishedCo., 86 F.3d 858, 860-61 (9th Cir. 1996).
- Ketab Corp. v. Mesriani & Assocs., No. 15-56753 (9th Cir. May 2, 2018).unpublishedHere, the district court found that the Mesriani Defendants’ legal services and Ketab’s information directory services were “totally unrelated” and therefore confusion was unlikely as a matter of law, citing Murray v. Cable Nat’l Broad. 5…
- Marilyn Mintz v. Subaru of Am., Inc., No. 16-16840 (9th Cir. Dec. 12, 2017).unpublished “The confusion must be probable, not simply a possibility.” Murray v. Cable Nat’l Broadcasting Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996) (internal quotation marks omitted).
- Aegis Software, Inc. v. 22nd Dist. Agric. Ass'n, 255 F. Supp. 3d 1005 (S.D. Cal. 2017).publishedMurray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 860-61 (9th Cir. 1996).
- Herb Reed Enter., Inc. v. Monroe Powell's Platters, LLC, 25 F. Supp. 3d 1316 (D. Nev. 2014).publishedCo., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir.1996).
- Celebrity Chefs Tour, LLC v. Macy's, Inc., 16 F. Supp. 3d 1123 (S.D. Cal. 2014).publishedCo., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir.1996) (citing Toho Co. Ltd. v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 645 F.2d 788, 790-91 (9th Cir.1981)).
- Martinez Pinto v. Holder, 386 F. App'x 743 (9th Cir. 2010).unpublished
- Palma-Platero v. Holder, 401 F. App'x 258 (9th Cir. 2010).unpublished
- Bmw of North Am., LLC v. Mini Works, LLC, 463 F. App'x 689 (9th Cir. 2011).unpublished
- Leonel Contreras-Tarango v. Immigr. & Naturalization Serv., 107 F.3d 15 (9th Cir. 1997).unpublished
- Antonio L. San Nicolas Victoria S.N. Abela Carlena S.N. Santos v. Guam United Trading Servs. & Finances Co., Inc., 114 F.3d 1195 (9th Cir. 1997).unpublished
- Patrick James Jeffries v. Tana Wood, Superintendent, 114 F.3d 1484 (9th Cir. 1997).published
- Marthajane Freeman v. The Principal Fin. Grp. & the Principal Mut. Life Ins. Co., 117 F.3d 1425 (9th Cir. 1997).published
- Dreamwerks Prod. Grp., Inc. v. Skg Studio, Dba Dreamworks Skg, 142 F.3d 1127 (9th Cir. 1998).published
- United States v. John Doe, a Juv., 324 F.3d 1057 (9th Cir. 2003).published
- California Dep't Of Water Resources v. Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm'n, 361 F.3d 517 (9th Cir. 2004).published
- Harlem Wizards Ent. Basketball, Inc. v. NBA Props., Inc., 952 F. Supp. 1084 (D.N.J. 1997).published
- United States v. Moses, 496 F.3d 984 (9th Cir. 2007).published
- Battley v. Schmitz (In Re Schmitz), 224 B.R. 117 (Bankr. D. Alaska 1998).published
- Hbp, Inc. v. Am. Marine Holdings, Inc., 290 F. Supp. 2d 1320 (M.D. Fla. 2003).published
- Alberto-Culver Co. v. Trevive, Inc., 199 F. Supp. 2d 1004 (C.D. Cal. 2002).published
- Collins v. Runnels, 580 F. Supp. 2d 1000 (E.D. Cal. 2008).published
- ACI INT'L. INC. v. Adidas-Salomon AG, 359 F. Supp. 2d 918 (C.D. Cal. 2005).published
- Mattel, Inc. v. MCA Records, Inc., 28 F. Supp. 2d 1120 (C.D. Cal. 1998).published
- Self-Ins. Inst. of Am., Inc. v. Software & Info. Indus. Ass'n, 208 F. Supp. 2d 1058 (C.D. Cal. 2000).published
- Playboy Enter., Inc. v. Terri Welles, Inc., 78 F. Supp. 2d 1066 (S.D. Cal. 1999).published
- Qwest Commc'ns Int'l v. Cyber-Quest, Inc., 124 F. Supp. 2d 297 (M.D. Pa. 2000).published
- United States v. Moses, No. 06-30379 (9th Cir. Aug. 2, 2007).published
- United States v. Baroni, 14 F. App'x 815 (9th Cir. 2001).unpublished
- De Jesus Granados v. Gonzales, 233 F. App'x 691 (9th Cir. 2007).unpublished
- H & R Block E. Enter., Inc. v. Intuit, Inc., 945 F. Supp. 2d 1033 (W.D. Mo. 2013).published
- Parts.Com, LLC v. Yahoo! Inc., 996 F. Supp. 2d 933 (S.D. Cal. 2013).published
At page 861 Determining likelihood of consumer confusion in service marks40 citing cases“the confusion must 'be probable, not simply a possibility.”
- PSM Holdings LLC v. Tiny Town LLC, No. 3:24-cv-05579 (W.D. Wash. Feb. 26, 2025).(The confusion must be probable, not simply a possibility.)
- YKK CORP. v. Jungwoo Zipper Co., Ltd., 213 F. Supp. 2d 1195 (C.D. Cal. 2002).published (A likelihood of confusion exists when a consumer viewing a service mark is likely to purchase the services under a mistaken belief that the services are, or are associated with, the services of another provider.)
- Erickson, No. 3:25-cv-00194 (D. Alaska Sept. 16, 2026). “if goods or services are totally unrelated, there is no infringement because confusion is unlikely”
- Eli Lilly & Co. v. Alderwood Surgical Ctr. LLC, No. 2:24-cv-00878 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 7, 2025). Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996); see 23 also United States Futsal Fed’n v. USA Futsal LLC, No. 17-CV-04206-LB, 2018 WL 2298868 , at 24 *10–12 (N.D.
- Whaleco Inc. v. Temuapp.me, No. 2:23-cv-02615 (D. Ariz. May 31, 2024).Further, “the confusion must be probable, not simply 3 a possibility.” Murray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996) (cleaned up).
- Whaleco Inc. v. Temureviewer.com, No. 2:23-cv-02451 (D. Ariz. Apr. 9, 2024).Further, “the confusion must be probable, not simply 16 a possibility.” Murray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996) (cleaned up). 17 The Court must first analyze whether Whaleco has a valid, protectable trademark 18 interest in t…
- Wavve Americas Inc. v. Unknown Party, No. 2:23-cv-01819 (D. Ariz. Feb. 6, 2024).Further, “the confusion must be probable, not simply a 2 possibility.” Murray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996) (cleaned up). 3 The Court must first analyze whether wA has a valid, protectable trademark interest 4 in the infri…
- OSN Labs LLC v. Phoenix Energy LLC, No. 2:23-cv-01188 (D. Ariz. Jan. 5, 2024).Further, “the confusion must be probable, not simply 18 a possibility.” Murray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996) (cleaned up). 19 To determine whether Phoenix Energy’s use of BLACKOUT constitutes trademark 20 infringement or u…
- Universal Prot. Serv., LP v. Coastal Fire & Integration Sys., Inc., No. 3:22-cv-01352, 2023 WL 4042582 (S.D. Cal. June 15, 2023).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996), as amended 12 (Aug. 6, 1996) (affirming district court’s dismissal where “the parties’ services are 13 unrelated and there is no likelihood of confusion); Robinson v. Hunger Free Am., Inc., 14 No. 118…
- Dfinity Found. v. Meta Platforms, Inc., No. 3:22-cv-02632 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 10, 2022).(comparing “America Speaks” to “America’s Talking)
Show 27 more citing cases
- Boiling Crab Franchise Co LLC v. KL Boiling Crawfish Corp., No. 2:21-cv-00293 (W.D. Wash. May 31, 2022).To avoid summary judgment, Plaintiff “must 20 show sufficient evidence to permit a rational trier of fact to find that confusion is ‘probable,’ not 21 merely ‘possible.’” M2 Software, Inc. Madacy Ent., 421 F.3d 1073 , 1085 (9th Cir. 2005)…
- Milwaukee Elec. Tool Corp. v. Snow Joe, LLC, No. 3:21-cv-16140 (D.N.J. Apr. 21, 2022).unpublished(affirming grant of motion to dismiss where “the parties’ services are unrelated)
- Melwani v. Amazon.com Inc, No. 2:21-cv-01329 (W.D. Wash. Mar. 7, 2022).“The confusion must ‘be 19 probable, not simply a possibility.’” Murray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996). 20 New York common law trademark claims similarly require a showing of a likelihood of 21 confusion.
- ACI Law Grp. PLLC v. ACI Law Grp. PC, No. 2:21-cv-00098 (D. Ariz. Sept. 20, 2021).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996), as amended (Aug. 6, 1996).
- Ironhawk Tech., Inc. v. Dropbox, Inc., No. 19-56347 (9th Cir. July 6, 2021).published See JL Beverage, 828 F.3d at 1105 ; M2 Software, Inc., 421 F.3d at 1085 (quoting Murray v. CNBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996)).
- Ironhawk Tech., Inc. v. Dropbox, Inc., 2 F.4th 1150 (9th Cir. 2021).published See JL Beverage, 828 F.3d at 1105 ; M2 Software, Inc., 421 F.3d at 1085 (quoting Murray v. CNBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996)).
- North Sails Grp. LLC v. Boards & More Inc, No. 1:19-cv-03112 (E.D. Wash. Apr. 1, 2020).Group v. SKG Studio, 142 F.3d 1127, 1129 (9th Cir. 1998). 3 “The confusion must ‘be probable, not simply a possibility.’” Murray v. Cable 4 NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996) (quotation omitted).
- Great Am. Duck Races Inc. v. Kangaroo Mfg. Inc., No. 2:17-cv-00212 (D. Ariz. July 18, 2019). This requires the confusion “be probable, not simply a possibility.” 13 Murray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996).
- Marketquest Grp., Inc. v. Bic Corp., 862 F.3d 927 (9th Cir. 2017).published Defendants cite Surfvivor, 406 F.3d at 631-34 , and Murray v. Cable National Broadcasting Co., 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996), to support their contention that strict pleading is required when someone sues for reverse confusion, but thes…
- Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc. v. Leland Stanford Junior Univ., 212 F. Supp. 3d 816 (N.D. Cal. 2016).publishedCo., 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir.1996).
- Obesity Rsch. Inst., LLC v. Fiber Rsch. Int'l, LLC, 165 F. Supp. 3d 937 (S.D. Cal. 2016).publishedCo., 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir.1996).
- Multi Time Mach. v. amazon.com, No. 13-55575 (9th Cir. Oct. 21, 2015).published “The confusion must ‘be probable, not simply a possibility.’” Murray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996).
- Multi Time Mach., Inc. v. Amazon.com, Inc., 792 F.3d 1070 (9th Cir. 2015).published “The confusion must ‘be probable, not simply a possibility.’” Murray v. Cable NBC, 86 F.3d 858, 861 (9th Cir. 1996).
- Self-Ins. Inst. of Am., Inc. v. Software & Info. Indus. Ass'n, 208 F. Supp. 2d 1058 (C.D. Cal. 2000).published
- M2 Software, Inc. v. Madacy Ent., 421 F.3d 1073 (9th Cir. 2005).published
- Matrix Motor Co. v. Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, 290 F. Supp. 2d 1083 (C.D. Cal. 2003).published
- Glow Indus., Inc. v. Lopez, 252 F. Supp. 2d 962 (C.D. Cal. 2002).published
- Nautilus Grp., Inc. v. Savvier, Inc., 427 F. Supp. 2d 990 (W.D. Wash. 2006).published
- Masters Software, Inc. v. Discovery Commc'ns, Inc., 725 F. Supp. 2d 1294 (W.D. Wash. 2010).published
- Walter v. Mattel, Inc., 31 F. Supp. 2d 751 (C.D. Cal. 1998).published
- Aurora World, Inc. v. Ty Inc., 719 F. Supp. 2d 1115 (C.D. Cal. 2009).published
- Trovan Ltd. v. Pfizer Inc., 107 F. App'x 788 (9th Cir. 2004).unpublished
- M2 Software Inc. v. M2 Commc'ns, L.L.C., 149 F. App'x 612 (9th Cir. 2005).unpublished
- Monster, Inc. v. Dolby Labs. Licensing Corp., 920 F. Supp. 2d 1066 (N.D. Cal. 2013).published
- Yelp Inc. v. Reviewvio Inc., No. 3:23-cv-06508, 2024 WL 2883668 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2024).
- Synoptek, LLC v. Synaptek Corp., 309 F. Supp. 3d 825 (C.D. Cal. 2018).published
- Servpro Indus. Inc. v. Zerorez of Phx. LLC, 339 F. Supp. 3d 898 (D. Ariz. 2018).published
At page 859 Determining unrelated status of business entities3 citing casesconcluding that a market research business operating under the name “America Speaks” and a cable television network entitled “America’s Talking” were unrelated as a matter of law
- Hildawn Design LLC v. Dad Gang Co LLC, No. 3:25-cv-05277 (W.D. Wash. Aug. 11, 2025).Co., 86 F.3d 858, 859 (9th Cir. 1996)).
- Davis v. Blue Tongue Films, No. 23-3968 (9th Cir. Dec. 20, 2024).unpublished Co., 86 F.3d 858, 860 (9th Cir. 1996), as amended (Aug. 6, 1996).
- Rice v. Fox Broad. Co., 148 F. Supp. 2d 1029 (C.D. Cal. 2001).published
At page 862 cited at this page1 citing case
- Edwards Lifesciences Corp. v. Meril Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., No. 4:19-cv-06593 (N.D. Cal. Apr. 8, 2021).Broadcasting Co., 86 F.3d 858, 862 (9th Cir. 1996), this is not such a circumstance. 23 Plaintiffs have adequately alleged the possibility that a consumer could be confused by the 24 prominent use of the word “partner” in promotional mater…
v.
CABLE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, Dba: America’s Talking, Defendant-Appellee
Robert Murray (“Murray”) contends CNBC, Inc. (“CNBC”) improperly infringed on Ms registered trademark “America Speaks” by conducting opirnon polling through its cable network “America’s Talking.” The district court dismissed Murray’s complaint for trademark infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
Murray videotapes “man-on-the-street” surveys for business clients. He has conducted surprise supermarket interviews for Maxwell House instant coffee and performed consumer surveys as the “Shell Question Man.” Murray alleges he obtained a federal service mark registration for “America Speaks” and has operated Ms market research business under that name since October, 1992.
In July 1994, CNBC commenced a cable television network entitled “America’s Talking.” Murray contends the America’s Talking network conducts interactive national polling surveys and distributes survey data to the news media. Although Murray has not conducted any interactive surveys, he claims he will in the future under the name “America Speaks” and had planned to do so prior to CNBC’s use of interactive polling on America’s Talking. Murray contends CNBC’s use of mteractive surveys is likely to cause confusion when he expands Ms “America Speaks” business to include interactive surveys.
Murray sued CNBC for violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1114 (trademark infringement), 15[*860] U.S.C. § 1125(a) (false designation of origin) and California unfair competition law. CNBC moved for dismissal pursuant to Fed. R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). The district court granted the motion, but allowed Murray leave to amend his complaint. Murray filed an amended complaint and CNBC renewed its motion to dismiss. The district court granted the motion, finding as a matter of law that the services provided by CNBC and Murray were unrelated and there was no likelihood of consumer confusion.
Murray raises three issues on appeal: (1) whether this Court should overrule Toho Co. Ltd. v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 645 F.2d 788, 790-791 (9th Cir.1981) as contradictory to Levi Strauss & Co. v. Blue Bell, Inc., 778 F.2d 1352, 1355 (9th Cir.1985) (en banc); (2) whether the district court erred in finding there was no likelihood of trademark confusion as a matter of law and (3) whether Murray alleged sufficient facts to support a claim of reverse confusion.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review de novo dismissal of a complaint for failure to state a claim. Oscar v. University Students Co-operative Assn., 965 F.2d 783, 785 (9th Cir.), cert. denied 506 U.S. 1020, 113 S.Ct. 655, 121 L.Ed.2d 581 (1992). Murray suggests that Levi Strauss, 778 F.2d at 1356, requires application of the clearly erroneous standard. However, in trademark confusion eases, the clearly erroneous standard applies when the district court has made a factual and legal determination of likelihood of confusion based on submitted evidence or stipulated facts. Id. De novo review is appropriate when the district court has found as a matter of law that the plaintiffs complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. Maljack Productions, Inc. v. GoodTimes Home Video Corp., 81 F.3d 881, 885 (9th Cir.1996).
DISCUSSION
Likelihood of Trademark Confusion as a Matter of Fact or Law
To maintain an action for trademark infringement under 15 U.S.C. § 1114, false designation of origin under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) and unfair competition under California law, a plaintiff must prove the defendant’s use of the same or similar mark would create a likelihood of consumer confusion. Levi Strauss, 778 F.2d at 1354 (federal claims); Tomlin v. Walt Disney Productions, 18 Cal.App.3d 226, 235, 96 Cal.Rptr. 118, 123 (1971) (California claims). An eight factor test is employed to determine whether a “likelihood of confusion” exists. Official Airline Guides, Inc. v. Goss, 6 F.3d 1385, 1391 (9th Cir.1993). If the court determines as a matter of law from the pleadings that the goods are unrelated and confusion is unlikely, the complaint should be dismissed. Toho, 645 F.2d at 790-791.
Murray argues this Court must overrule Toho because “the underlying premise of the decision, namely that the issue of likelihood of confusion can be an issue of law, was expressly rejected by the Ninth Circuit when it decided that likelihood of confusion was an issue of fact in Levi Strauss.” He argues Levi Strauss requires all trademark confusion cases to be resolved by a jury. We disagree.
Murray asks us to do what we cannot: overrule a prior decision of this court. “[0]nly a panel sitting en banc may overturn existing Ninth Circuit precedent.” United States v. Camper, 66 F.3d 229, 232 (9th Cir. 1995). Nor did Levi Strauss overrule Toho. In Toho, we held the use of “BAGZILLA” on garbage bags was unrelated as a matter of law to the protected literary and toy merchandising of “GODZILLA” and upheld the district court’s dismissal for failure to state a claim. Toho, 645 F.2d at 790. Levi Strauss unified the standard of review in trademark confusion cases and held that findings of likelihood of confusion should be reviewed under the clearly erroneous standard. 778 F.2d at 1356. Previously, the standard of review differed depending on whether the district court had entered findings based on disputed or undisputed facts. Id. Levi Strauss does not preclude the district court from determining likelihood of confusion as a matter of law, either through dismissal or[*861] summary judgment. See Newton v. Thomason, 22 F.3d 1455, 1459 (9th Cir.1994).
The District Court’s Determination of No Likelihood of Confusion
Murray contends that the district court erred in finding the “America Speaks” and “America’s Talking” service marks were unrelated and there was no likelihood of consumer confusion as a matter of law.
A likelihood of confusion exists when a consumer viewing a service mark is likely to purchase the services under a mistaken belief that the services are, or associated with, the services of another provider. Rodeo Collection, Ltd. v. West Seventh, 812 F.2d 1215, 1217 (9th Cir.1987). The confusion must “be probable, not simply a possibility.” Id. If goods or services are totally unrelated, there is no infringement because confusion is unlikely. AMF v. Sleekcraft Boats, 599 F.2d 341, 348 (9th Cir.1979).
Taking the facts alleged by Murray to be true, we agree with the district court that the parties’ services are unrelated and there is no likelihood of confusion. Murray conducts “man-on-the-street” consumer surveys and sells his services to business clients for use in television commercial advertising. He does not produce network television programming. By contrast, CNBC’s “America’s Talking” network offers talk-show television programming to cable television viewers. CNBC’s “polling” consists of allowing viewers to respond to questions by calling telephone numbers, the results of which are occasionally distributed to the news media. Murray does not allege CNBC has conducted polling or market analysis for advertisers or related to commercial products. He does not claim CNBC has ever sold any polling or marketing services to anyone. In fact, Murray does not contend he and CNBC share any customers or potential customers. Because the parties’ services are unrelated, there is no likelihood of consumer confusion as a matter of law. See Toho, 645 F.2d at 790-791.
Reverse Confusion Claim
Reverse confusion occurs when a trademark infringer so saturates the market with promotion of his trademark that consumers come to believe that the infringer, rather than the plaintiff, is the source of the trademarked product. Libman Co. v. Vining Industries, 69 F.3d 1360, 1362 (7th Cir.1995), cert. denied, — U.S.-, 116 S.Ct. 1878, 135 L.Ed.2d 173 (1996). This Circuit has not yet formally recognized a cause of action for reverse confusion, although the theory was referenced in Americana Trading, Inc. v. Russ Berrie & Co., 966 F.2d 1284, 1287 (9th Cir.1992).
Murray failed to allege sufficient facts to state a claim for reverse confusion under the Lanham Act. He does not contend that CNBC saturated the market with advertising concerning its interactive polling activities. He does not argue that anyone has confused CNBC for the “Shell Answer Man” or mistakenly asked CNBC to conduct surprise interviews of Maxwell House coffee drinkers. Because Murray has failed to plead a cognizable claim for reverse confusion, we need not reach the issue of whether, and under what circumstances, this Circuit will recognize a theory of reverse confusion.
AFFIRMED.