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Indiana Intellectual Property Blog

~ Trademark and Copyright Law Updates in Indiana

Indiana Intellectual Property Blog

Author Archives: Kenan Farrell

Indiana brewery alleges rights in its CORN MAZE BEER FEST stolen by own marketing agency

31 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Branding, Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Common Law Unfair Competition, Conversion, Deception, False Designation of Origin, Fraud, Indiana Crime Victim's Relief Act, Jane Magnus-Stinson, Matthew P. Bookman, Theft, Tortious Interference with Economic Advantage

This trademark lawsuit arises out of a dispute over ownership of the term “Corn Maze Beer Fest.”

The Plaintiff, 450 North Brewing Co. of Columbus, Indiana, hosted an event under that name in 2016 in the fields surrounding their brewery.

The Defendant is an Indiana company specializing in marketing for craft beer events.

The parties had worked together (with only an unsigned agreement and oral contract) on the 2016 event but a dispute has arisen over ownership of the event name. Despite the parties terminating their business relationship in early 2017, Defendant appears to be moving forward with its own version of a CORN MAZE BEER FEST, still being actively promoted on the website that Plaintiff believes it should own.

Stay tuned for updates.

Brix Haus Brewing Inc. d/b/a 450 North Brewing Co. v. Indiana On Tap, LLC

Court Case Number: 1:17-cv-02529-JMS-MPB
File Date: July 27, 2017
Plaintiff: Brix Haus Brewing Inc. d/b/a 450 North Brewing Co.
Plaintiff Counsel: Louis T. Perry, Amie Peele Carter of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP
Defendant: Indiana On Tap, LLC
Cause: False Designation of Origin, Common Law Unfair Competition, Indiana Crime Victim’s Relief Act, Deception, Conversion, Theft, Fraud, Tortious Interference with Economic Advantage
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Jane Magnus-Stinson
Referred To: Matthew P. Bookman

Complaint:

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North American Van Lines sues North America Prime, trucking competitor started by a former officer

26 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, Common Law Unfair Competition, Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, Paul R. Cherry, Theresa L. Springmann

The Plaintiff, North American Van Lines, has been providing transportation services since 1969. A former officer of Plaintiff started a competing transportation company called North America Prime Lines. Numerous cease-and-desist communications were sent but the parties weren’t able to resolve their differences.

However, there are numerous negative instances of consumer confusion (a few samples below) so this situation definitely requires resolution.

North America Van Lines, Inc. v. North America Prime Inc. et al.

Court Case Number: 1:17-cv-00298-TLS-PRC
File Date: Friday, July 14. 2017
Plaintiff: North American Van Lines, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Siobhán M. Murphy of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
Defendant: North America Prime Inc., Ean Manning
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, Common Law Unfair Competition
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Paul R. Cherry

Complaint:

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Indy’s COMFORT STAY INN sued for trademark infringement by owner of COMFORT INN

17 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Southern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Debra McVicker Lynch, False Designation of Origin, Federal Trademark Infringement, Indiana Trademark Infringement, Indiana Unfair Competition, Tanya Walton Pratt

The Plaintiff in this trademark lawsuit is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. Among its many well-known brands are COMFORT INN and COMFORT SUITES. Plaintiff has used its family of COMFORT trademark since at least 1984.

Defendant operates a hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana under the name “Comfort Stay Inn.” Defendant’s utilizes the domain name comfortstayinn.com.

Cease-and-desist coomunications from Plaintiff’s attorney were unsuccessful, hence this lawsuit. Plaintiff asserts that Defendant’s hotel name is confusingly similar and has irreparably damaged the value of the COMFORT family of marks.

Choice Hotels International, Inc. v. American Hospitality Solution, LLC

Court Case Number: 1:17-cv-02402-TWP-DML
File Date: Friday, July 14, 2017
Plaintiff: Choice Hotels International, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Calvert S. Miller of Carson Boxberger LLP
Defendant: American Hospitality Solution, LLC
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, False Designation of Origin, Indiana Trademark Infringement, Indiana Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Tanya Walton Pratt
Referred To: Debra McVicker Lynch

Complaint:

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adidas sued for violating Jackie Robinson’s right of publicity

13 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Southern District of Indiana

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adidas, Common Law Unfair Competition, Debra McVicker Lynch, Deception, False Endorsement, Tanya Walton Pratt, Unfair Competition, Unjust Enrichment, Violation of Right of Publicity

This lawsuit involves adidas’ alleged infringement of the right of publicity of deceased baseball player Jackie Robinson.

The plaintiff, CMG Worldwide Inc., headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the exclusive worldwide agent and representative for the estate of Jackie Robinson.

adidas allegedly, without authorization from Plaintiff, created and promoted merchandise based on the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s first appearance as a Brooklyn Dodger. The products were promoted heavily by adidas and sponsored athletes on April 15, 2017…”Jackie Robinson Day.”

Plaintiff asks for an injunction against further sales, recovery for damages suffered, disgorgment of all of adidas’ profits and attorneys’ fees and costs, so there’s a lot on the line for adidas. Stay tuned for updates.

CMG Worldwide, Inc. v. adidas AG et al.

Court Case Number: 1:17-cv-02356-TWP-DWL
File Date: Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Plaintiff: CMG Worldwide, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Theodore J. Minch of Sovich Minch, LLP
Defendant: adidas AG, adidas America, Inc.,  Does 1-10
Cause: False Endorsement, Unfair Competition, Violation of Right of Publicity, Common Law Unfair Competition, Unjust Enrichment, Deception
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Tanya Walton Pratt
Referred To: Debra McVicker Lynch

Complaint:

View this document on Scribd

 

Harry’s Chocolate Shop sues University Spirit over unauthorized apparel sales

10 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by Kenan Farrell in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Northern District of Indiana, Trademark

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Andrew P. Rodovich, Breach of Contract, False and Deceptive Labeling, Joseph S. Van Bokkelen, Trademark Infringement and Counterfeiting, Unfair Competition

Harry’s Chocolate Shop was founded in 1919 as the first and only soda fountain near Purdue University. Today it is a popular restaurant/bar, voted one of the best college bars in America.

Harry’s owns the following registered trademarks: GO UGLY EARLY, DRINK ‘EM PRETTY, DRINK ‘EM CUTE, and HOME OF “THE GREAT INDOORSMAN”.

Defendants operate a nearby retail store named University Spirit. The parties previously had a non-exclusive (oral) license agreement for University Spirit to produce and sell apparel bearing Harry’s trademarks. In 2012, the Defendants stopped making royalty payments and Harry’s brings this action seeking payment of royalties owed and an injunction against further sales.

Harry’s Chocolate Shop Incorporated v. Goldden Corporation et al

Court Case Number: 4:17-cv-000570-JVB-APR
File Date: July 6, 2017
Plaintiff: Harry’s Chocolate Shop Incorporated
Plaintiff Counsel: William A. McKenna of Woodard, Emhardt, Moriarty, McNett & Henry LLP
Defendant: Goldden Corporation, Gary E. Edmondson
Cause: Breach of Contract, Trademark Infringement and Counterfeiting, False and Deceptive Labeling, Unfair Competition
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Joseph S. Van Bokkelen
Referred To: Andrew P. Rodovich

Complaint:

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