Tag Archives: Tortious Interference with Business Relationship

JUMPSTART COMMUNICATIONS vs. JUMPSTART COMMUNICATION…are you confused?

31 Thursday Oct 2024

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

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The parties to this new Indiana trademark lawsuit have a long personal history, including previously being married, but we’re taking a look at the case for its intellectual property claims, i.e. trademark infringement between the marks JUMPSTART COMMUNICATIONS and JUMPSTART COMMUNICATION. The companies offer the same services, telecommunications construction services, in the same geographic area. The Complaint (below) provides some details about the defendant’s decision to choose a similar name, along with other allegedly damaging behavior, including solicitation of customers and employees.

Stay tuned for updates, although I don’t expect this case to last very long, at least the trademark claims. There are some additional claims that may linger even if the trademark issue is resolved, for example, by a name change.

Jumpstart Communications LLC v. Jumper et al.

Court Case Number: 1:24-cv-00447-HAB-SLC
File Date: October 22, 2024
Plaintiff: Jumpstart Communications LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: Carrie E. Sheridan, J.Blake Hike, Brendan C. Ruff, Stephanie Fleming of Carson LLP
Defendant: Ryan Jumper, Jumpstart Communication LLC
Cause: Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal False Designation of Origin, Federal Trademark Dilution, Federal Unfair Competition, RICO Violations, Breach of Fiduciary Duties, Tortious Interference with Contract, Tortious Interference with Business Relationship, Civil Theft
Court: Northern District of Indiana
Judge: Holly A. Brady
Referred To: Susan L. Collins

Complaint:

Hot Girl Walk v. Hot Walk Indy…are you confused?

17 Wednesday Jul 2024

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

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An Indianapolis-based inclusive walking group is being sued for trademark infringement by the national walking group which had inspired its original name. The plaintiff operates a national women’s walking group called Hot Girl Walk, a name inspired by Megan Thee Stallion’s song “Hot Girl Summer.” The group promotes walking events for women across the country and has some significant sponsorships. In 2019, the defendant started a walking group called Hot Girl Walk Indy, which was later shortened to Hot Walk Indy. If this was the extent of the conflict, I suspect a federal lawsuit might never have been filed. However, while the trademark infringement claims in the Complaint (below) are the focus of this IP blog, the plaintiff was likely more concerned about an alleged series of defamatory statements, doxing, and aggressive bullying, all detailed in the Complaint. Standing alone, Hot Walk Indy might not cause a conflict with Hot Girl Walk, but when it’s combined with a group campaign of actively seeking to undermine the Hot Girl Walk brand, it puts a plaintiff in a position where they have to file a lawsuit.

It’s difficult to see how keeping the name of a relatively new local walking group would be worth the cost of defending a federal lawsuit, but perhaps the defense funds can be crowdfunded among the group. Considering the other activities detailed in the Complaint, the defendant may already be in too deep despite what name they use and the other group members may stay away for fear of being named as additional defendants.

Stay tuned for updates.

Hot Girl Walk LLC v. Springer d/b/a Hot Walk Indy

Court Case Number: 1:24-cv-01187-JMS-TAB
File Date: July 15, 2024
Plaintiff: Hot Girl Walk LLC
Plaintiff Counsel: Joseph R. Delehanty of Dickinson Wright PLLC
Defendant: Casey Springer d/b/a Hot Walk Indy
Cause: Tortious Interference with Business Relationship, Defamation, Business Disparagement, Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, Federal False Designation of Origin, Common Law Trademark Infringement, Common Law Unfair Competition
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Jane E. Magnus-Stinson
Referred To: Tim A. Baker

Complaint: