Tag Archives: William G. Hussmann

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – Hartfield Company v. Jeffrey Hartfield

08 Thursday Oct 2015

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

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After 35 years of working for the company bearing his father’s name, son sought to go out on his own. With 35 years of experience in one industry, he of course decided to start a similar company. But could he start a company also bearing his own (and his father’s) last name? Not if the new owner of daddy’s company has anything to say about it.

Trademark and surnames are often problematic. Here’s some basic info to consider as you analyze the Complaint:

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Think HARTFIELD?

Hartfield Company Inc. et al v. Jeffrey Hartfield et al

Court Case Number: 4:15-cv-00143-SEB-WGH
File Date: Monday, October 5, 2015
Plaintiff: Hartfield Company Inc., National Financial Partners Corp.
Plaintiff Counsel: Kendall Millard of Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Defendant: Jeffrey Hatfield, Hartfield Solutions LLC
Cause: Federal Unfair Competition and False Designation of Origin, Common Law Unfair Competition and Trademark Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Sarah Evans Barker
Referred To: Magistrate Judge William G. Hussmann, Jr.

Complaint:

Indiana Copyright Litigation Update – Professional Transportation Inc. v. Robert E. Warmka

30 Wednesday Sep 2015

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

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This lawsuit, removed from Vanderburgh Superior Court to the Southern District of Indiana, involves a dispute over a “Driver’s Manual.” Defendant is alleged to have left the employ of Plaintiff and utilized portions of their proprietary driver’s manual with his new employer. Defendant removed the lawsuit to federal court.

Professional Transportation Inc. v. Robert E. Warmka

Court Case Number: 3:15-cv-00134-RLY-WGH
File Date: Monday, September 28, 2015
Plaintiff: Professional Transportation Inc.
Defendant: Robert E. Warmka
Cause: Indiana Trade Secret Violation, Unfair Competition, Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Richard L. Young
Referred To: Magistrate Judge William G. Hussmann, Jr.

Notice of Removal:

Complaint:

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – Liquid Palace v. E Liquid Palace

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Indiana, Intellectual Property, Litigation, Trademark

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This is a dispute between two electronic cigarette distributors over the marks “Genie,” Liquid Genie” and “Electric Genie.” Both parties began using their respective trademarks in 2013 and have retail locations approximately six miles apart. This case was removed from the Circuit Court for Floyd County, Indiana.

Liquid Palace, LLC et al v. E Liquid Palace, LLC et al

Court Case Number: 4:14-cv-00051-TWP-WGH
File Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Plaintiff: Liquid Palace, LLC, Robert W. Kaiser, Jr.
Plaintiff Counsel: H. Kevin Eddins, Kevin J. Fiet
Defendant: E Liquid Palace, Austin Simon, Russell Simon
Defendant Counsel: Loren T. Prizant, Robert John Theuerkauf
Cause: Trademark Infringement, Common Law Trademark Infringement, Intentional Interference with Prospective Business Advantage, Intentional Interference with Business Relationships, Unfair Competition, Injunctive Relief
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Tanya Walton Pratt
Referred To: Magistrate Judge William G. Hussmann, Jr.

Indiana Trademark Litigation Update – Best Chairs Incorporated v. Factory Direct Wholesale

09 Friday May 2014

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

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Plaintiff, based in Ferdinand, Indiana, sells chairs and other furniture under the BEST CHAIRS trademark. Defendant is allegedly selling competing furniture products under the BESTCHAIR and BEST CHAIR marks. Despite multiple contacts from Plaintiff, Defendant has refused to refrain from selling under the allegedly infringing mark.

Best Chairs Incorporated v. Factory Direct Wholesale, LLC

Court Case Number: 3:14-cv-00067-RLY-WGH
File Date: Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Plaintiff: Best Chairs Incorporated
Plaintiff Counsel: Amy B. Berge of Bingham Greenebaum Doll LLP
Defendant: Factory Direct Wholesale, LLC
Cause: Federal Trademark Counterfeiting, Federal Trademark Infringement, Unfair Competition, False Advertising, False Designation of Origin, State Unfair Competition, Indiana Crime Victims Act
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Richard L. Young
Referred To: Magistrate Judge William G. Hussmann, Jr.

Indiana Copyright Litigation Update – Transcultural C.A.R.E. Associates v. Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation

21 Monday Apr 2014

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

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Plaintiff is the owner of the copyright in a model of cultural competency titled “Cultural Competency in Healthcare Delivery: Have I ‘ASKED’ Myself the Right Questions?”. Defendants, teachers for Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, allegedly used a portion of Plaintiff’s model without permission in a PowerPoint presentation entitled “Culturally Competent Classroom Management” (see Exhibit C below).

The PowerPoint presentation was apparently part of New Teacher Orientation materials. While the Complaint doesn’t elaborate, it’s quite possible the Defendants’ use will qualify for a “fair use” exemption from copyright infringement. Copyright Act Section 107 specifically exempts uses of copyrighted works for, among other things, teaching and scholarship. Defendants’ Answer and/or Motion to Dismiss should provide more detailed information about their use of the Plaintiff’s copyrighted work. Stay tuned for updates.

Josepha Campinha-Bacote d/b/a Transcultural C.A.R.E. Associates v. Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation et al

Court Case Number: 3:14-cv-00056-RLY-WGH
File Date: Friday, April 18, 2014
Plaintiff: Josepha Campinha-Bacote d/b/a Transcultural C.A.R.E. Associates
Plaintiff Counsel: Avonte D. Campinha-Bacote of Campinha-Bacote LLP
Defendant: Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, Dionne Blue, Deborah Hartz
Cause: Copyright Infringement
Court: Southern District of Indiana
Judge: Judge Richard L. Young
Referred To: Magistrate Judge William G. Hussmann, Jr.

Complaint:

Exhibit C: