Indiana Intellectual Property Law News
New Albany, Indiana – Trademark lawyers for Coach, Inc. and Coach Services, Inc. of New York City have filed a lawsuit alleging TJ’s Handbags & More of Scottsburg, IN, infringed a family of COACH trademarks which are registered with the U.S. Trademark Office, including Trademark Registration No. 2,088,706 for the mark COACH in connection with goods such as luggage, satchels, and backpacks.
In addition to the trademarks, the complaint asserts copyrights which have been registered with the U.S. Copyright Office and maintains that Coach’s products feature distinctive and non-functional trade dress, including designs, fabrics, colors, and patterns. The complaint alleges that the defendants are offering for sale counterfeit products which are “studied imitations” of Coach handbags, wallets, jewelry, and sunglasses and thereby infringe and dilute the COACH marks, infringe the trade dress and copyrights, and constitute unfair competition.
This case has been assigned to Judge Tanya Walton Pratt and Magistrate Judge William G. Hussmann in the Southern District of Indiana, and assigned case no. 4:10-cv-00111-TWP-WGH.
Practice Tip: Coach has a reputation for being aggressive in asserting claims against suspected infringers of the designs. The Federal Lanham Act provides owners of registered designs very strong protection against infringers.Complaint – Coach v. TJ’s Handbags
Further Information about the case is as follows:
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Plaintiffs: |
COACH SERVICES, INC. and COACH, INC. |
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Defendants: |
TERESA A. JEWELL and TJ’S HANDBAGS & MORE |
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Case Number: |
4:2010cv00111 |
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Filed: |
September 22, 2010 |
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Court: |
Indiana Southern District Court |
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: |
William G. Hussmann |
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Presiding Judge: |
Tanya Walton Pratt |
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Nature of Suit: |
Intellectual Property – Trademark |
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Cause: |
15:1114 Trademark Infringement |
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Jury Demanded By: |
Plaintiff |