New Litigation

December 21, 2015

Indiana Trademark Litigation: Indiana Botanic Gardens Sues VitalMax Vitamins Alleging Infringing Use of “Accu-Hear”

Hammond, Indiana – Plaintiff Indiana Botanic Gardens, Inc. of Hobart, Indiana filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in the Northern District of Indiana alleging that Almark Products, Inc. d/b/a VitalMax Vitamins (“VitalMax”) of Delray Beach, Florida infringed its trademarked “ACCU HEAR”, U.S. Trademark No. 3,010,289, which has been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Indiana Botanic allege that it has been in the business of processing, packaging and otherwise selling variety of herbal products for many years. It contends that it has done so under the ACCU HEAR trademark, which has been registered for use in connection with dietary supplements.

In this trademark litigation, Indiana Botanic accuses Defendant VitalMax of production, labeling, sale and offering for sale of a nutritional supplement offered under the name ACCU-HEAR. This term, Indiana Botanic states, is confusingly similar to Plaintiff’s ACCU HEAR trademark and will irreparably harm Plaintiff by diminishing the reputation and goodwill of that trademark. Indiana Botanic asserts that VitalMax infringed the ACCU HEAR trademark willfully and deliberately.

In this federal complaint, filed by a trademark attorney for Indiana Botanic, the following is alleged:

• Count I: Federal Trademark Infringement

• Count II: Unfair Competition Under Federal Law

The “Jurisdiction and Venue” section of this federal complaint lists additional claims – “state trademark infringement, injury to business reputation and dilution, deceptive trade practices, deceptive business practices and unfair competition under the laws of the State of Indiana” – but those claims were not included as separate counts.

Indiana Botanic seeks equitable relief along with damages, including punitive damages, costs and attorneys’ fees.

December 14, 2015

Indiana Copyright Litigation: Copyright Defendant Removes Lawsuit to Federal Court

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

Indianapolis, Indiana – An Indiana copyright lawyer for Defendant Wrightspeed, Inc. of San Jose California filed a notice of removal in the Southern District of Indiana on the basis of both federal-question jurisdiction and diversity-of-citizenship jurisdiction.

Plaintiff Precision Rings, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana had filed its lawsuit in Marion County Superior Court seeking declaratory relief, injunctive relief, unspecified damages and attorney’s fees. Among Plaintiff’s contentions was the breach of a nondisclosure agreement. Included in this alleged breach was the misappropriation of Plaintiff’s trade secrets, which involved the use or disclosure by Defendant of certain copyrighted drawings that Plaintiff had registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Defendant Wrightspeed contended that federal-question jurisdiction was proper and asked that the federal court in the Southern District of Indiana hear and decide all further matters in the litigation. Defendant asserted that the complaint arose under copyright law because Plaintiff’s complaint included a claim that would require construction of the Copyright Act. Consequently, subject matter jurisdiction rested exclusively in federal court.

Defendant Wrightspeed also asserted that diversity-of-citizenship jurisdiction was a proper basis for the Indiana federal court to hear the litigation. The parties were completely diverse, it stated, with Plaintiff being a citizen of Indiana and Defendant being a citizen of both Delaware and California. Defendant contended further that, considering the potential damages, fees and costs, the amount at stake was well in excess of the $75,000 threshold necessary for diversity-of-citizenship jurisdiction.

December 11, 2015

Indiana Trademark Litigation: Trademark Lawsuit Filed Over Use of “All Star” Name

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

Indianapolis, Indiana – Plaintiff All Star Heating & Cooling, Inc. (“All Star”) of Camby, Indiana sued in the Southern District of Indiana alleging that Quality Heating and Air, Inc. (“Quality Heating”) d/b/a All Star Air and Richard Cusick (“Cusick”) of New Palestine, Indiana are infringing its trade name.

Both Plaintiff and Defendants are in the business of providing heating, venting and air conditioning service, installation and repair. Plaintiff All Star states that it began business in December of 2005 and that it has used the same name since that time. It also indicates that it has been using “the same trade dress since 2011.” This trademark infringement complaint does not indicate that Plaintiff’s business name has been registered by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The complaint states that Defendant Cusick, who is believed to be the owner and operator of Defendant Quality Heating, began business in 2014 under the assumed business name All Star Air. Plaintiff asserts that Quality Heating is currently located less than 30 miles from Plaintiff’s location.

Plaintiff All Star contends that customers and vendors have been confused by Defendants’ use of the All Star name, stating that they have “wrongly believed that there is an association or connection between the Plaintiff’s business and the Defendants’ business.” Plaintiff avers that, as a consequence, Defendants are liable for trade name infringement and unfair competition.

In its lawsuit, filed by an Indiana trademark lawyer, Plaintiff lists the following counts:

• Count I: Federal Unfair Competition
• Count II: State and Common Law Trademark Infringement

• Count III: Common Law Unfair Competition

All Star seeks equitable relief, including an injunction; damages, including treble damages; costs and attorney fees.

December 8, 2015

Indiana Copyright Litigation: Brick Shirt House Alleges Infringement of Copyrighted Image of Beer Mug in the Shape of Indiana

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

Indianapolis, Indiana – Plaintiff The Brick Shirt House, LLC of Indianapolis, Indiana filed a copyright infringement complaint in the Southern District of Indiana. The lawsuit alleges that Indiana on Tap, LLC of Fishers, Indiana infringed Plaintiff’s copyrighted art work “Drink Indiana,” Copyright Registration No. VA0001895289, which has been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.

Brick Shirt House is engaged in the business of printing on apparel and other merchandise. An Indiana copyright attorney for Brick Shirt House asserts in this lawsuit that the visual art at issue in this litigation, “Drink Indiana,” was created in October 2011 by Alex Janeczek, manager and owner of Brick Shirt House. The art work features an Indiana-shaped beer mug with beer foam spilling over the top.

Around December 16, 2013, Janeczek discovered a drawing in use by Indiana On Tap that Plaintiffs contend is “substantially similar to Drink Indiana Beer Mug, as it copied, verbatim, the essential elements of Drink Indiana Beer Mug.” He also learned of Indiana On Tap’s intent to distribute merchandise with the accused artwork. That same day or shortly thereafter, Brick Shirt House indicates that it registered its art work with the U.S. Copyright Office. Approximately a week later, Brick Shirt House e-mailed Indiana On Tap and requested that Indiana On Tap cease using the artwork, stating its belief that the Indiana On Tap work infringed Brick Shirt House’s copyrighted art. Several e-mails were exchanged but apparently no resolution was reached.

In July 2014, Indiana On Tap again advertised its intent to sell t-shirts incorporating the accused artwork. In response, a copyright attorney for Brick Shirt House sent a cease and desist demand letter to Indiana On Tap. Indiana On Tap denied infringement and refused to cease use of the graphic. Plaintiffs indicate that additional instances of copyright infringement were subsequently committed by Indiana On Tap.

This lawsuit, filed December 4, 2015 by an Indiana copyright lawyer for Brick Shirt House, lists a single count: copyright infringement, which Plaintiffs state has been done willfully. Brick Shirt House seeks equitable relief, including impoundment; damages; costs and attorney’s fees.

November 20, 2015

Indiana Trademark Litigation: Texas A&M Sues the Indianapolis Colts Over Use of “12th Man” Mark

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

Houston, Texas – Via its trademark attorneys, Plaintiff Texas A&M University of College Station, Texas filed a trademark lawsuit in the Southern District of Texas alleging that the Indianapolis Colts, Inc. infringed its intellectual property rights in the “12TH MAN” mark, Trademark Registration Nos. 1,612,053; 1,948,306; and 3,354,769, which were issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Also alleged were federal unfair competition and false designation of origin as well as unfair competition and trademark dilution under Texas state law.

Texas A&M asserts that, as early as 1922, it has used the trademark 12TH MAN in connection with sporting events and numerous products and services. It contends that the 12TH MAN mark identifies and distinguishes Texas A&M in connection with all of its athletic entertainment services and events. Texas A&M also licenses the mark, including having granted a license to Football Northwest, LLC for use by the Seattle Seahawks professional football team.

Plaintiff contends that the Indianapolis Costs first used 12TH MAN trademark inside of its stadium around 2006. In response to this use, Plaintiff indicates that it sent a cease and desist letter to Defendant, which appeared to result in a resolution of the matter. Texas A&M states that it again became aware of use of the 12TH MAN mark by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, which again resulted in a cease and desist letter sent to Defendant.

According to the complaint, Texas A&M most recently became aware of use of the 12TH MAN mark by the Indianapolis Colts in July 2015, when Defendant e-mailed a solicitation including the mark to an individual in Texas A&M’s home town of College Station, Texas. Plaintiff claims that this use of the 12TH MAN mark is one of multiple current uses of the trademark by the Indianapolis Colts.

In the complaint, filed by trademark lawyers for Texas A&M, the following claims are listed:

• Count I: Trademark Infringement Under 15 U.S.C. §1114 et seq.
• Count II: Unfair Competition, False Designation and Infringement Under 15 U.S.C. §1125(a)
• Count III: Texas Trademark Dilution

• Count IV: Common Law Unfair Competition

Texas A&M seeks injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees and costs.

November 16, 2015

Indiana Cable/Satellite TV Litigation: Joe Hand Adds a Lawsuit in the Northern District

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

Fort Wayne, Indiana – Plaintiff Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. of Feasterville, Pennsylvania filed an intellectual property lawsuit in the Northern District of Indiana asserting unlawful interception of Plaintiff’s program “Ultimate Fighting Championship 167: Georges St. Pierre v. Johny Hendricks” on November 16, 2013. This lawsuit is in addition to the litigation commenced by Plaintiff in the Southern District of Indiana on Thursday.

The complaint filed in the Northern District, filed by an intellectual property lawyer for Joe Hand, was nearly identical to Thursday’s complaint, with the primary difference being the Defendants named. In this lawsuit, the Defendants listed are Glen Robert Dotson, individually and d/b/a Fatzboyz Bar & Grill, and Dotson R. Inc., also d/b/a Fatzboyz Bar & Grill of Ligonier, Indiana. Defendants are accused of “depriving Plaintiff of the commercial license fee to which Plaintiff was rightfully entitled to receive from them” by showing the championship fight without having purchased a commercial license from Plaintiff.

Under Counts I and II, Joe Hand seeks statutory damages for all violations of 47 U.S.C. § 605 and 47 U.S.C. § 553, including additional damages for willful violations, where appropriate. Costs and attorney’s fees are also sought. A claim of conversion is included as Count III.

November 13, 2015

Indiana Cable/Satellite TV Litigation: Joe Hand in Federal Court Again Alleging Interception

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

Indianapolis, Indiana – A lawyer for Plaintiff Joe Hand Promotions, Inc. of Feasterville, Pennsylvania filed an intellectual property lawsuit in the Southern District of Indiana alleging that Angelina S. Alford, individually and d/b/a Tag’s Pub and Eatery LLC of Frankfort, Indiana, unlawfully intercepted Plaintiff’s program.

Joe Hand distributes digital content. It asserts that it holds exclusive domestic rights to the commercial distribution of “Ultimate Fighting Championship 167: Georges St. Pierre v. Johny Hendricks.” In an intellectual property complaint filed yesterday, Joe Hand accuses Alford and Tag’s Pub and Eatery LLC, of which Alford is allegedly an officer, of illegally intercepting the program on November 16, 2013.

In addition to interception, the allegations against Defendants include reception, publication, divulgence, display, exhibition, and “tortuous” [sic] conversion of the program. Joe Hand asserts that the acts were “willful, malicious, egregious, and intentionally designed to harm Plaintiff, Joe Hand Promotions, Inc., by depriving Plaintiff of the commercial license fee to which Plaintiff was rightfully entitled to receive from them.” Joe Hand contends that by doing so, “the Defendants subjected the Plaintiff to severe economic distress and great financial loss.” As a result of these alleged acts, Defendants have been have been accused in this lawsuit of violating 47 U.S.C. § 605 and 47 U.S.C. § 553 as well as conversion.

Joe Hand seeks statutory damages of $110,000 for each violation of 47 U.S.C. § 605; $10,000 for each violation of 47 U.S.C. § 553; $50,000 for each willful violation of 47 U.S.C. § 553; compensatory and punitive damages on the claim of conversion; costs; and attorney’s fees.

November 12, 2015

Indiana Patent Litigation: USITC Begins Investigation at Request of Indianapolis-Based Plaintiff

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. International Trade Commission (“USITC”) began an investigation under section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 regarding the importation and sale of blood cholesterol test strips that allegedly infringe a U.S. patent. The respondents are Jant Pharmacal Corp. of Encino, California; Infopia America LLC of Titusville, Florida and Infopia Co., Ltd. of the Republic of Korea.

In August 2014, Indiana patent attorneys for Plaintiff Polymer Technology Systems (“PTS”) of Indianapolis, Indiana sued respondents in the Southern District of Indiana alleging infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,087,397, “Method for determining HDL concentration from whole blood or plasma,” which was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In the lawsuit filed in Indiana federal court, PTS also asserted that Defendants had violated the Lanham Act.

In October 2015, PTS filed a complaint with the USITC involving its point-of-care blood cholesterol testing meters, test strips, and systems containing the same naming the same three parties. PTS asks that the USITC issue an exclusion order and a cease and desist order.

No decision has yet been made on the merits of the USITC action. The matter will be assigned to an administrative law judge (“ALJ”), who will hold an evidentiary hearing. The ALJ will make an initial determination regarding whether there is a violation of section 337. That decision, in turn, is subject to review by the USITC, which then makes a final determination.

November 10, 2015

Indiana Trademark Litigation: Shipshewana Spice Company Sues Amish Farms for Use of “Happy Salt” Trademark

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

Shipshewana, Indiana – Indiana trademark lawyers for Plaintiff Kevin Horn, sole proprietor of Shipshewana Spice Company of Warsaw, Indiana, filed an intellectual property lawsuit in the Northern District of Indiana alleging that Bob Wilson d/b/a Amish Farms and Shipshewana’s Best Spice Co. of Millersburg, Indiana infringed the trademark “HAPPY SALT,” Trademark Registration No. 4,241,663, which was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Horn also alleges trademark counterfeiting, false description, trademark dilution and unfair competition.

Plaintiff Horn of Shipshewana Spice states in his intellectual property complaint that his company has been selling spices and other seasonings since 1994 both locally in north-central Indiana and online at www.shipshewanaspicecompany.com. Plaintiff further claims that the trade name “HAPPY SALT” has been associated with his spices since 1994. A trademark registration for this mark in International Class 30 for “Seasonings, namely, Seasonings in salt” was granted by the USPTO on November 13, 2012.

Defendant Wilson, alleged to be the operator of the website www.amishfarms.com, is accused of offering counterfeit goods offered as “HAPPY SALT SEASONING,” “HAPPY HEARTS SALT FREE SEASONING” and “HAPPY SEA SALT SEASONING.” Plaintiff also protests the use by Defendant of the business name “Shipshewana’s Best Spice Company,” which it contends is nearly identical to Plaintiff’s business name, “Shipshewana Spice Company”.

The complaint, filed by Indiana trademark attorneys for Plaintiff, includes the following counts:

• First Claim: Trademark Infringement Under Lanham Act §32; 15 U.S.C. §1114
• Second Claim: Trademark Counterfeiting Under Lanham Act §32; 15 U.S.C. §1114
• Third Claim: False Description Under Lanham Act §43; 15 U.S.C. §1125
• Fourth Claim: Trademark Dilution Under Lanham Act §43; 15 U.S.C. §1125

• Fifth Claim: Unfair Competition Under Lanham Act §43; 15 U.S.C. §1125

Horn seeks equitable relief along with damages, costs and attorneys’ fees.

October 27, 2015

Indiana Intellectual Property Litigation: Roche Seeks Declaration of Non-Infringement of Meso’s Rights to ECL Technology

By Overhauser Law Offices, LLC

Indianapolis, Indiana – Indiana intellectual property attorneys for Plaintiff Roche Diagnostics Corporation of Indianapolis, Indiana filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of Indiana asking for a declaration of non-infringement of rights to patented technology licensed to Defendant Meso Scale Diagnostics, LLC of Rockville, Maryland.

At issue in this patent-related lawsuit is the right to use patented Electrochemiluminescence (“ECL”) technology owned by BioVeris Corporation. ECL is a detection technology that uses electricity, chemistry and light to detect and measure the presence of specific molecules in a test sample. It is used to detect, monitor, and guide the treatment of disease and other conditions.

In 1995, BioVeris licensed its ECL technology to Defendant Meso. Under this license, Meso was granted an exclusive license to use ECL technology for certain limited purposes. BioVeris later entered licensing agreements granting Roche Diagnostics use of ECL technology. Meso contends that Roche Diagnostics’ use of BioVeris’ ECL technology constitutes a violation of the exclusive rights granted to Meso. Roche Diagnostics asserts that its use does not violate Meso’s rights under the Meso license and that, while Meso was not a party to the first agreement licensing the ECL technology to Roche Diagnostics, executed in 2003, Meso expressly consented to that entire agreement. A second agreement licensing the technology was executed between BioVeris and Roche Diagnostics in 2007.

In 2013, a related dispute between Miso and Roche Diagnostics in Delaware state court was resolved in favor of Roche Diagnostics after a five-day bench trial. That judgment was affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court in June 2015. Roche Diagnostics claims that, this concluded lawsuit notwithstanding, Meso continues to assert that Roche Diagnostics’ activities infringe Meso’s rights and continues to threaten litigation.

Indiana patent lawyers for Roche Diagnostics filed this action for declaratory judgment seeking a judgment declaring that it has not infringed Meso’s license rights in the ECL technology. Roche also seeks an award of attorney’s fees and costs.

Practice Tip: Because the validity of the BioVeris’ patents is not in dispute, and because Roche Diagnostics concedes that some of its products include BioVeris’ patented ECL technology, BioVeris was not included as a party in this lawsuit.