A Fair Outcome Following Alleged Trademark Infringement
Any business that owns a valuable patent, trademark or other intellectual property has likely taken considerable risk or expended a considerable sum to obtain it. When another business decides that it, too, can profit from the property or material without permission or a license, it’s important to take action to:
- Protect your property
- Obtain any compensation owed by law
A recent case in South Florida illustrates that, in the case of blatant trademark infringement, legal action can bring both a fair outcome and a high-value result.
For years, booth holders at the Fort Lauderdale-based Swap Shop flea market allegedly served as a source for counterfeit luxury items, including Coach purses, handbags and other items. Earlier this year, Coach responded to the alleged trademark infringement by filing a lawsuit not against alleged sellers and makers of the knock-off goods but against Swap Shop owners Preston and Betty Henn. The Henns, Coach claimed, “willfully turned a blind eye” to vendors illegally selling counterfeit Coach products on their property.
After just two days in court, the Henns capitulated and agreed to a settlement that included a $5.5 million payment to Coach due no later than December 27, 2013. For its legal efforts Coach obtained intellectual property protection, sent a message to other would-be trademark infringers and won a high-value sum that will significantly boost its 2013 bottom line.
The attorneys of the law office of Manos &Alwine, P.L., applaud the outcome of this lawsuit. Coach expends vast sums annually designing, marketing and distributing its coveted products. It deserves compensation from any party complicit in trademark infringement.
If your business is involved in a trademark dispute or other commercial dispute in Miami, Fort Lauderdale or elsewhere in South Florida, contact one of our business dispute attorneys to discuss your concerns. Our team of commercial litigation attorneys has resolved hundreds of trademark and contract disputes involving licensed material, unfair competition, insurance, entertainment law, distribution agreements and more. We represent both plaintiffs and defendants and have achieved numerous six- and seven-figure outcomes both in and out of court. To contact us, call 305-341-3100.