Robert Nmi Murray, Dba: Am. Speaks v. Cable Nat'l Broad. Co., Dba: Am.'s Talking, 86 F.3d 858 (9th Cir. 1996). · Go Syfert
Robert Nmi Murray, Dba: Am. Speaks v. Cable Nat'l Broad. Co., Dba: Am.'s Talking, 86 F.3d 858 (9th Cir. 1996). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
134 citation events (117 in the last 25 years) across 19 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 1997 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1997 2011 2026
Cited for
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.”6 citing courts quote it · 47 listed here
  • 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). 2 cites
    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). 2 cites
    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 2 cites
    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). 2 cites
    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
At page 861 Determining likelihood of consumer confusion in service marks40 citing cases“the confusion must 'be probable, not simply a possibility.”8 citing courts quote it · 37 listed here
  • 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 2 cites
    (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). 2 cites
    “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). 2 cites
    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
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 law1 citing court put it this way
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…
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Robert Nmi MURRAY, Dba: America Speaks, Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
CABLE NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMPANY, Dba: America’s Talking, Defendant-Appellee
95-55090.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Aug 6, 1996.
Published opinion
86 F.3d 858
R. Joseph Trojan, Trojan Law Offices, Beverly Hills, California, for plaintiff-appellant., Andrea R. Hartman, National Broadcasting Company, Burbank, California, for defendant-appellee.
Farris, Fernandez, Thomas.
Cited by 97 opinions  |  Published
THOMAS, Circuit Judge:

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.