Greek Organizations File Suit Against Unlicensed Vendors in Indiana and Dallas
June 2, 2008 – Vista, CA – After the case filed in Florida by 33 Greek organizations against 6 unlicensed producers of Greek merchandise was dismissed without prejudice (the judge was not convinced Florida was proper venue to try the case), one of the defendants, Paddle Tramps Mfg. Co., filed a complaint against 32 Greek organizations in Dallas, Texas. The Greek organizations recently responded by filing a counter claim against Paddle Tramps in Dallas. Additionally, and separately, The Greek organizations have revised their original complaint and filed it against remaining defendants Rah Rah, joeToga and Taymark in Indiana.
The Greek organizations are seeking a judgment against the defendants to prevent continued unauthorized use of their trademarks and to ensure that any commercial use of their trademarks meets quality control standards for accuracy and product appropriateness. Paddle Tramps is seeking a judgment against the Greek organizations that their commercial use of the Greek trademarks does not constitute trademark infringement, unfair competition and that they be allowed to sell merchandise containing the Greek organizations’ trademarks outside of an agreement with the trademark owners. The Greek organizations believe that Paddle Tramps’ use of their trademarks constitutes trademark infringement, unfair competition and dilution, and are seeking injunctive relief.
“It’s unfortunate that despite years of trying to gain cooperation and compliance, the defendants in these cases were not willing to become licensed and abide by the Greek organizations’ very reasonable and appropriate quality control standards and their clearly established trademark rights,” said Dan Shaver, President of Affinity Marketing Consultants, Inc. “We believe the court will respect the Greek organizations’ goal of protecting their history and heritage through quality control licensing and will affirm the Greek organizations’ trademark rights.”
Please contact Dan Shaver, 760-734-6764, with questions.
Dan Shaver
Affinity Consultants
www.affinity-consultants.com
www.greeklicensing.com
www.greekquote.com
phone: 760-734-6764
fax: 707-202-0532