Tag Archives: Federal Unfair Competition

North American Van Lines sues North America Moving & Storage for trademark infringement, cybersquatting

28 Thursday Jun 2018

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

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The Plaintiff, North American Van Lines, has been providing transportation services since 1969. The Defendant, North America Moving & Storage, is accused of using a similar company name and domain names to infringe Plaintiff’s trademarks.

The Complaint (below) alleges instances of actual confusion.

Stay tuned for updates.

North American Van Lines, Inc. v. North America Moving & Storage, Inc.

Court Case Number: 1-18-cv-00196-TLS-SLC
File Date: Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Plaintiff: North American Van Lines, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Mary A. Smigielski of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP
Defendant: North America Moving & Storage, Inc.
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, Indiana Trademark Infringement, Common Law Unfair Competition
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Complaint:

National Wrestling Alliance sues wrestler claiming to be “The Real NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion”

22 Tuesday May 2018

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

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The Plaintiff in this action is the owner of the National Wrestling Alliance (“NWA”) brand. The NWA is a promotional and sanctioning body that licenses promoters and promotions around the world to conduct NWA professional wrestling events.

The Defendant, a professional wrestler residing in Indiana, has apparently been going around claiming to be “The Real NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion” and “The People’s NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion.”

Unable to convince the wrestler that he was not the “real” champ with cease-and-desist communications, Plaintiff now seeks the Court’s intervention. Stay tuned for updates.

Lightning One, Inc. v. Harmon

Court Case Number: 2:18-cv-00193-JVB-APR
File Date: Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Plaintiff: Lightning One, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Michael V. Knight, Caitlin R. Byczko of Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Defendant: Nicholas P. Harmon
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, False Designation of Origin, Common Law Unfair Competition, Common Law Trademark Infringement
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Joseph S. Van Bokkelen
Referred To: Andrew P. Rodovich

Complaint:

BioSweep vs. BioClean…are you confused?

01 Tuesday May 2018

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

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The Defendants in this lawsuit are accused of violating the non-compete provisions of a terminated Franchise Agreement, as well as operating the competing business with a confusingly similar trademark, BioClean vs. the Plaintiff’s registered BioSweep trademark.

The Defendants allegedly also still claim to use Plaintiff’s “BioSweep System” equipment on their website, creating a false impression of a relationship with Plaintiff, and reference their competing company as “BioSweep of the Gulf Coast” in at least one instance.

Stay tuned for updates.

Phocatox Technologies, LLC v. Wiersig et al.

Court Case Number: 1:18-cv-01298-WTL-DML
File Date: Friday, April 27, 2018
Plaintiff: Phocatox Technologies, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: Bryan S. Redding, Britton A. Jared of Redding Law, LLC
Defendants: Jerry D. Wiersig, Todd M. Hoffman, BioClean Remediation, LLC (AL), and BioClean Remediation, LLC (OK)
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Common Law Trademark Infringement, Contributory Trademark Infringement, Breach of Franchise Agreement, Conspiracy, Federal Unfair Competition, State Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: William T. Lawrence
Referred To: Debra McVicker Lynch

Complaint:

Indiana power sport vehicle company sues Canadian competitor over infringing parts

17 Tuesday Apr 2018

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

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The Plaintiff in this lawsuit, ASW, LLC, is a Columbia City, Indiana-based company that designs and sells power sport vehicles and related parts. ASW owns the registered trademarks AMERICAN SPORTWORKS and LANDMASTER.

The Defendant, a Canadian corporation, is alleged to be selling competing products using identical marks from an infringing website, americansportworksparts.com. It’s not clear from the Complaint (below) whether the infringing products are repackaged/refurbished items (which can void a warranty) or just plain ol’ counterfeit goods, although it seems closer to the latter. 

ASW, LLC v. Bisson et al.

Court Case Number: 1:18-cv-00086-TLS-PRC
File Date: Monday, April 9, 2018
Plaintiff: ASW, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: Linda A. Polley, Charles J. Heiny of Haller & Colvin, P.C.
Defendants: Bisson, 1837967 Alberta Ltd.
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, False Designation of Origin, Trademark Dilution, Common Law Trademark Infringement, False Designation of Origin, Common Law Unfair Competition, Common Law Passing Off
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Theresa L. Springmann
Referred To: Paul R. Cherry

Complaint:

Counterfeit gages result in trade dress, trademark litigation

17 Thursday Aug 2017

Posted by in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Northern District of Indiana, Trade Dress, Trademark

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The Plaintiff, Dwyer Instruments, is a manufacturer of industrial gages and controls headquartered in Michigan City. Plaintiff has used the registered trademark MAGNEHELIC since 1949.

The Defendants, a California manufacturer and Wal-Mart.com which lists the product, are accused of selling counterfeit gages with identical trade dress tp Plaintiff’s gages and a confusingly similar trademark, MAGRFHELIC.

Dwyer Instruments Inc v. Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC et al.

Court Case Number: 3:17-cv-00636-RLM-MGG
File Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Plaintiff: Dwyer Instruments, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Peter J. Shakula of Wood Phillips
Defendant: Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC, Tasharina Corp.
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Trade Dress Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, False Designation of Origin, False and Misleading Representations, Common Law Unfair Competition
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Robert L. Miller, Jr.
Referred To: Michael G. Gotsch, Sr.

Complaint: 

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

26 Wednesday Jul 2017

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

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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:

Jayco sues unauthorized dealer of ENTEGRA COACH motorhomes

19 Monday Jun 2017

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

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Plaintiff is an RV manufacturer based in Middlebury, Indiana. Defendants are accused of “flagrantly” using Plaintiff’s ENTEGRA COACH registered trademark in Texas. The Complaint (below) details a scheme by which an unauthorized dealer was surreptitiously arranging for sales of Plaintiff’s motorhomes. Plaintiff brought this lawsuit seeking an injunction against further sales to protect the contracted rights of its authorized dealers.

Jayco, Inc.v. National Indoor RV Centers, LLC

Court Case Number: 3:17-cv-00458-RLM-MGG
File Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Plaintiff: Jayco, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Louis S. Chronowski of Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Defendant: National Indoor RV Centers, LLC
Cause: Federal Unfair Competition, False Designation of Origin, Federal Trademark Infringement, Common Law Trademark Infringement, Texas Unfair Competition, Breach of Contract
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Robert L. Miller, Jr.
Referred To: Michael G. Gotsch, Sr.

Complaint:

Two Indiana firework companies in dispute over BLACK WIDOW trademark

16 Friday Jun 2017

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

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This lawsuit involves a dispute over the use of the BLACK WIDOW trademark in connection with fireworks. The Plaintiff, based in Evansville, Indiana, owns a federal registration and has used their BLACK WIDOW trademark since as early as March 12, 2013.

The Defendants, from Washburn, Indiana, have allegedly begun selling similar products also under a BLACK WIDOW trademark.

Cease-and-desist communications from Plaintiff to Defendant were not successful, hence this lawsuit. Stay tuned for updates.

The Really Good Stuff, Inc. v. Sky Thunder, LLC et al.

Court Case Number: 3:2017-cv-00096-RLY-MPB
File Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Plaintiff: The Really Good Stuff, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Rowdy G. Williams of Rowdy G. Williams Law Firm, PC
Defendant: Sky Thunder, LLC, Michael A. Kimberling
Cause: Counterfeiting, Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Richard L. Young
Referred To: Matthew P. Brookman

Complaint:

Klipsch sues Online Store for Unauthorized Sale of Speakers, Fake Serial Numbers

07 Saturday Jan 2017

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

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Klipsch, an Indiana-based manufacturer of high-end audio speakers, is suing Concealedaudio.com, an online speaker store, for unauthorized sales of Klipsch speakers.

In addition to selling “new” Klipsch speakers at discounted prices, the Defendant is also accused of removing and replacing serial numbers, thus voiding any Klipsch warranty for the unwary end customer. Allowing an unauthorized distributor to continue with discounted sales undermines authorized distributors who must contractually maintain higher prices. Pressure from both authorized distributors and customers left without a warranty essentially forces legal action from Klipsch in this situation.

The Defendant’s Klipsch speaker sales appear to continue unabated. Stay tuned for updates.

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Klipsch Group, Inc. v. Concealedaudio.com

Court Case Number: 1:17-cv-00034-TWP-MPB
File Date: Thursday, January 5, 2017
Plaintiff: Klipsch Group, Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Dean E. McConnell of Indiano & McConnell LLC
Defendant: Concealedaudio.com
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Tanya Walton Pratt
Referred To: Matthew P. Brookman

Complaint: 

Fishers sign company sues competitor for cybersquatting

13 Wednesday Jul 2016

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

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Plaintiff, based in Fishers, Indiana, is in the business of graphic design, sign manufacturing, metal fabrication, and creating promotional material and apparel.

Plaintiff’s website is located at www.eye4group.com.

Defendant is in the business of sign making and associated tools and products and is a direct competitor of Plaintiff in the Indianapolis area.

Defendant allegedly registered the domain “www.eyefourgroup.com” on October 1, 2015 and directed all traffic to its own website. That’s a no-no.

The domain is currently not active.

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Eye 4 Group, LLC v. Indianapolis Sign Works Inc. et al.

Court Case Number: 1:16-cv-01864-JMS-MPB
File Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Plaintiff: Eye 4 Group, LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: Jennifer L. Mozwecz of SRM Law, Joe Duepner of Duepler Law, LLC
Defendant: Indianapolis Sign Works Inc., Andrew Chapman
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, False Designation of Origin, Common Law Trademark Infringement, Common Law Unfair Competition, Federal Trademark Dilution, Contributory Trademark Infringement, Deception, Conversion, Indiana Crime Victim’s Relief Act, Cybersquatting, Violation of the CyberPiracy Prevention Act
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Jane Magnus-Stinson
Referred To: Matthew P. Brookman

Complaint: