Gas Station at Former Texaco Site Spurs Trademark Infringement Suit
To paraphrase plaintiff: “It looks like a Texaco station.”
Defendants Misko Maynard and Grapeview Country Store, LLC, allegedly sell groceries and gas in what used to be a Texaco station.
Chevron U.S.A., Inc., owner of the TEXACO brand, filed suit in the Western District on Dec. 18 arguing that defendants’ association with its trademark is likely to confuse consumers and, therefore, constitutes trademark infringement and unfair competition.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with plaintiff’s claims. It’s just too bad the parties have had to go to federal court over a problem a can of paint would seem to solve.
The case cite is Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Maynard, No. 09-05779 (W.D. Wash.).
(Photo from plaintiff’s complaint.)
Posted on January 5, 2010
by
Michael Atkins
in Seattle Updates, Trademark Infringement
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1 Comment
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1 Reference
Michael Atkins
in Seattle Updates, Trademark Infringement
|
1 Comment
|
1 Reference
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Response: Absolutely Not a Verizon DealerI call this “shadow branding,” and there’s a lot of it around. A company is formerly affiliated with a well-known brand, typically as a franchisee, and then the relationship is severed. The little guy is no longer authorized to use the trademark — but de-branding efforts are usually minimal, often contemptuous. ...
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