Author Archives: rtushnet

Coach narrowly alleges grounds for cancellation of similar marks

Tapestry, Inc. v. Chunma USA, Inc., 2021 WL 1534988, No. 20-CV-0271 (JMF) (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 19, 2021) Tapestry (Coach) sued Chunma for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, false advertising, and cancellation of Chunma’s registered trademarks under the Lanham Act, unfair … Continue reading

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There’s no such thing as “leasing real estate in violation of the Lanham Act”

Wakefern Food Corp. v. Marchese, 2021 WL 3783259, No. 2:20-cv-15949-WJM-MF (D.N.J. Aug. 26, 2021) Always something new in trademark! Wakefern, the largest retailer-owned supermarket coop in the US, sued Marchese for attempting “to lease commercial real estate in violation of … Continue reading

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Is disgorgement the new normal in Lanham Act cases?

Grasshopper House, LLC v. Clean & Sober Media, LLC, 2021 WL 3702243, No. 19-56008, No. 19-56072, — Fed.Appx. —- (9th Cir. Aug. 20, 2021) The TMA’s injunctive relief changes are probably going to make it even more clear that courts … Continue reading

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Pandemic ski resort closures allow both contract and advertising claims

Goodrich v. Alterra Mountain Co., 2021 WL 2633326, No. 20-cv-01057-RM-SKC (D. Colo. Jun. 25, 2021) Unlike the education cases so far, this pandemic case sustains both consumer protection and contract claims. “Plaintiffs purchased Ikon ski passes for the 2019-20 ski … Continue reading

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competition in the market of ideas isn’t commercial competition

Children’s Health Defense v. Facebook Inc., 2021 WL 2662064, No. 20-cv-05787-SI (N.D. Cal. Jun. 29, 2021) CHD, an anti-vaccination group (that also considers pesticides and wireless tech dangerous), sued Facebook and other defendants for violating the First and Fifth Amendments, … Continue reading

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Amazon pulls further ahead of possible competitors in TM secondary liability wars

Ohio State Univ. v. Redbubble, Inc., No. 19-3388 (6th Cir. Feb. 25, 2021) “Because Amazon’s marketplace operates as a neutral intermediary between consumers and third-party vendors, courts have typically not found it liable for trademark-infringing goods sold through its platform.” … Continue reading

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Homeopathy claims weren’t unfair in the absence of proven falsity

Allen v. Hyland’s, Inc., 2021 WL 718295, No. CV 12-1150-DMG (MANx) (C.D. Cal. Feb. 23, 2021) This class action, about whether certain homeopathic products didn’t perform as indicated on the packaging, went to a jury trial that ended in Hyland’s … Continue reading

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Rogers test protects name of online news publication

Punchbowl, Inc. v. AJ Press LLC, — F.Supp.3d —-, 2021 WL 3356848, No. 21-cv-03010-SVW-MAR (C.D. Cal. Jul. 16, 2021) This Rogers case about the name of an online publication involves a motion to dismiss that was converted to a motion … Continue reading

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failure to allege comparative performance dooms falsity claim

Ruiz v. Owlet Baby Care, Inc., 2021 WL 3370259, No. 2:19-cv-00252 (D. Utah Aug. 3, 2021) A proposed class action against Owlet’s Smart Sock pulse oximeter sought to cure earlier defects by alleging that other pulse oximeters were used differently … Continue reading

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“ethical” fur sourcing claims not puffery

Lee v. Canada Goose US, Inc., 2021 WL 2665955, No. 20 Civ. 9809 (VM) (S.D.N.Y. Jun. 29, 2021) Lee sued Canada Goose alleging misrepresentations about the methods used to procure coyote fur for certain Canada Goose jackets: “The Canada Goose … Continue reading

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