According to court documents, Valcrum has developed a reputation for innovative hubcaps designed for 8,000-16,000-pound trailer axles. These hubcaps are identified by their distinct features, including a “signature red hex bezel with a hexagonal outer perimeter and an inner diameter.” Valcrum claims to have begun establishing trademark and trade dress rights for this design as early as late 2018.
The dispute arises from Valcrum’s allegation that Dexter, a manufacturer and distributor of axle and trailer accessories, has copied Valcrum’s hubcap design, including the distinctive red hex bezel, to market its own product called the “Fortress” hubcap. Additionally, Valcrum contends that Dexter breached a Mutual Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) by allegedly using confidential information, such as Valcrum’s customer list, to its advantage.
Valcrum asserts that Dexter’s actions have had significant consequences, leading to purported lost sales, damaged relationships with customers, and a perceived threat to its intellectual property rights and brand integrity. Seeking legal recourse, Valcrum aims to safeguard its innovations and pursue compensation for any harm it believes Dexter’s alleged infringement may have caused.
The case has been assigned to Judge Damon R. Leichty and Magistrate Judge Michael G. Gotsch, Sr. in the U.S. District Court of Northern Indiana, and assigned Case No. 3:24-cv-00190.