Insights on Trademark & Unfair Competition Litigation

A federal judge in the Eastern District of Virginia recently upheld the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s (TTAB) decision to cancel six trademark registrations held by Pro Football, Inc. related to the Washington Redskins football team.

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) recently reversed the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s (Board) refusal to register the mark PRETZEL CRISPS on the grounds that the mark is generic for pretzel crackers.

Macy’s is currently engaged in litigation to regain ownership of multiple trademarks associated with Macy’s-owned department stores that are no longer in use.

Arent Fox LLP secured a summary judgment on behalf of the sportswear manufacturer Fila against a website that was cybersquatting.

The French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. (LVMH) recently settled its long-running court battle with eBay, Inc. over the online auction website’s alleged distribution of counterfeit luxury goods.

Arent Fox LLP filed suit on behalf of Italian clothing company Diesel S.p.A. against 83 websites that are cybersquatting.

Keds filed suit against Vans in 2014 for trademark infringement, unfair competition, trademark dilution, and breach of contract.

Converse Inc. recently sued a competitor, Autonomie Project, Inc., for willfully infringing Converse’s famous Chuck Taylor All Star shoes.

On August 20, 2013, Marc Joseph NY, Inc. filed an action before the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York against C. & J. Clark America, Inc. for trademark infringement and unfair competition of its “Cypress Hill” moccasin design.

AirWair alleged that Vans’ Gibson line of footwear infringes AirWair’s trademark and trade dress rights in its Dr. Martens line, causing a likelihood of confusion among US consumers.

Last month, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York denied injunctive relief to clothing designer and retailer Saturdays Surf LLC for trademark infringement asserted against Kate Spade LLC.