zoe marketing v. impressions - live love cheer trademark complaint
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2FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
DOCS 120994-000005/2032029.1
interference with prospective economic relations.
2. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to
15 U.S.C. 1121(a), and 28 U.S.C. 1331, 1338(a) and (b). This Court ha
supplemental jurisdiction over Plaintiffs state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C
1367.
3.
This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because i
conducts business in California. Defendant has purposely availed itself of th
opportunity to conduct commercial activities in this Judicial District by maintaining
an online retail store and sending out catalogs that target customers in the United
States and United States territories, including this Judicial District, and offering to
ship and shipping products to customers in the United States and United State
territories, including this Judicial District.
4.
Venue is proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391(b) and
(c), because a substantial part of the events giving rise to the claims occurred, and
continue to occur, in the Southern District of California. Further, Plaintiff ha
suffered damage within this District, and elsewhere.
PARTIES
5.
Plaintiff Zoe Marketing, Inc. is a Nevada corporation with its principa
place of business at 12375 World Trade Drive, San Diego, California 92128.
6.
Plaintiff is informed and thereon alleges that Defendant Impressons
LLC is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the
state of Oregon with a principal place of business at 238 Lawrence Avenue, San
Francisco, California 94080.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
7. Plaintiff is a company which designs, manufactures and sell
cheerleading uniforms and cheer related products. Plaintiff is the top source fo
dependable, high quality cheerleading uniforms, warm-ups, shoes and accessories
Plaintiff has been in business selling cheer products since August 2002.
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3FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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8.
Plaintiff offers cheerleading apparel and supplies, including but no
limited to cheerleading uniforms, practice wear, t-shirts, pom-poms, shoes, socks
accessories, jackets, footwear, bags, makeup and other cheerleading accessorie
(Products). Plaintiff has offered cheerleading Products for over twelve years, an
targets individual consumers and groups of consumers, including cheerleadin
squads and sports teams, nationwide.
9.
Plaintiff has a diverse customer base which includes sales to th
general public; elementary, middle and high schools including grades kindergarten
through twelve; youth cheerleading leagues, recreational teams, Pop Warne
Football organizations; American Youth Football & Cheer organizations
universities; colleges; as well as all-star, club and team cheerleading organizations.
10.
Plaintiff commenced its business in 2002 selling both self
manufactured products and third party products.
11.
Plaintiffs sales are retail sales which are promoted mostly, although
not exclusively, through catalogs; websites, including Plaintiffs website
www.cheerleadingonline.com and www.omnicheer.com; social media sites; an
various trade shows throughout the United States and within this Judicial District.
12.
On November 26, 2009 Plaintiff filed an application for the trademark
LIVE LOVE CHEER for registration on the Principal Register. On July 13
2010 the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued Registration No
3,817,720 for LIVE LOVE CHEER. A true and correct copy of Registration No
3,817,720 is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
13.
Plaintiffs mark LIVE LOVE CHEER has been used in commerce
since at least February 1, 2006 to brand Plaintiffs Products.
14. Plaintiff offers for sale various t-shirts and socks bearing the mark
LIVE LOVE CHEER. A sampling of these Products is displayed below:
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4FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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15.
In light of Plaintiffs valid and continuous use of the LIVE LOVE
CHEER trademark since February 1, 2006, Plaintiffs mark, already a strong an
distinctive mark, has acquired secondary meaning among the consuming public
The LIVE LOVE CHEER mark is symbolic of extensive goodwill and consume
recognition, built up by and through Plaintiffs substantial time, effort and money
dedicated to advertising, marketing and promotional activities. The LIVE LOVE
CHEER mark and the goodwill associated therewith are valuable assets o
Plaintiff.
16. In the mind of the consuming public, Plaintiff is the source or origin o
the Products bearing the LIVE LOVE CHEER trademark.
17. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, Defendan
has misappropriated Plaintiffs federally registered trademark LIVE LOVE
CHEER for use on Defendants websites and products, which are the same a
Plaintiffs Products, without permission or consent from Plaintiff.
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5FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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18.
Defendant is using in commerce a Live Love Cheer mark identica
in sight, sound and meaning to Plaintiffs LIVE LOVE CHEER mark.
19. Defendants products, bearing Plaintiffs misappropriated LIVE
LOVE CHEER mark, are exactly the same products as those sold by Plaintiff
namely, hoodies and t-shirts. An example of one of Defendants infringin
products, found on the website http://www.activewearapparel.com/browse-by
sport/cheer-clothing/cheer-hooded-sweatshirts.html, is pasted herein below:
20.
Upon information and belief, Defendant advertises, markets and sell
its infringing products bearing Plaintiffs LIVE LOVE CHEER mark on at leas
the following websites: Amazon.com, Zazzle.com, and Activewearapparel.com
Screenshots of Defendants infringing activities on each of these websites ar
attached hereto as Exhibit B.
21.
Defendants products, bearing Plaintiffs misappropriated LIVE
LOVE CHEER mark, are sold in close proximity to Plaintiffs Products on the
worldwide internet. This causes confusion to the consuming public as to th
source, origin and affiliation of Defendants products.
22. On July 3, 2014, Plaintiff sent a cease and desist letter to Defendan
requesting Defendant immediately cease and desist its use of LIVE LOVE
CHEER based on Plaintiffs ownership of U.S. Trademark Registration No
3,817,720 for the mark LIVE LOVE CHEER. Plaintiff informed Defendant tha
Defendants unlicensed and unpermitted use of Live Love Cheer dilutes an
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6FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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tarnishes Plaintiffs mark and causes confusion among consumers in th
marketplace as to the source, origin, sponsorship or approval of Defendant
infringing products. Plaintiff also advised Defendant that its acts cause Plaintif
irreparable harm for which Defendant is subject to serious legal consequences
Plaintiffs July 3, 2014 letter is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
23.
On July 16, 2014 Defendant responded to Plaintiffs July 3rd letter
and refused to cease and desist its use of LIVE LOVE CHEER.
24.
On July 18, 2014 Plaintiff reiterated its request to Defendant to
immediately cease and desist all use of LIVE LOVE CHEER. Plaintiffs July 18
2014 letter is attached hereto as Exhibit D.
25. On July 22, 2014 Defendant replied to Plaintiffs July 18, 2014 lette
and repeated its refusal to stop using Plaintiffs mark.
26.
Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, tha
Defendant sells and markets to the same customer base that Plaintiff targets.
27.
Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, tha
Defendant was aware of Plaintiffs LIVE LOVE CHEER mark prior to it
misappropriation of the same and Defendant intentionally copied Plaintiffs mark
to trade on Plaintiffs goodwill and favorable reputation among the consuming
public and, in particular, within the cheerleading community nationwide.
FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Trademark Infringement Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1114)
28.
Plaintiff hereby repeats, realleges and incorporates by referenc
Paragraphs 1 through 27 of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
29. Plaintiff has the rights to enforce federally registered trademark LIVE
LOVE CHEER (Registration No. 3,817,720).
30. This is an action for trademark infringement arising under 15 U.S.C
1114.
31.
Defendant has used in commerce, without the permission or consent o
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7FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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Plaintiff, t-shirts and hoodies that are identical to and/or confusingly similar t
Plaintiffs Products bearing Plaintiffs federally registered LIVE LOVE CHEER.
32. Defendant has infringed Plaintiffs federally registered LIVE LOVE
CHEER mark and created a false designation of origin by using said mark and/o
similar marks in connection with the manufacture, offer for sale, sale, distribution
promotion and/or marketing of Defendants products without the permission o
consent of Plaintiff.
33.
Defendants acts are designed to trade upon Plaintiffs reputation and
goodwill by causing confusion and mistake among consumers and the public
Defendants acts are also designed to deceive the public into believing tha
Defendants products are associated with, sponsored by, approved by and/o
condoned by Plaintiff.
34.
Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, tha
Defendant had actual knowledge of Plaintiffs right to enforce and use in
commerce Plaintiffs federally registered trademark LIVE LOVE CHEER, and
without the permission or consent of Plaintiff, has willfully and intentionally
violated 15 U.S.C. 1114.
35.
Defendants actions have injured Plaintiff and damaged Plaintiff in an
amount to be determined at trial.
36.
By its actions, Defendant has irreparably harmed and injured Plaintiff
Such irreparable injury will continue unless this Court preliminarily and
permanently enjoins Defendant from further violation of Plaintiffs rights, fo
which Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Unfair Competition and False Designation of Origin Pursuant to 15 U.S.C.
1125(a))
37. Plaintiff hereby repeats, realleges and incorporates by referenc
Paragraphs 1 through 36 of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
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8FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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38.
Defendant has created a false designation of origin by its multipl
unauthorized acts, namely, using in commerce, without Plaintiffs permission o
consent, the mark LIVE LOVE CHEER in connection with the manufacture
offer for sale, sale, distribution, advertisement, promotion and/or marketing o
Defendants products.
39.
Defendant committed such acts with the intent to trade upon Plaintiff
reputation and goodwill by causing confusion and mistake amongst customers and
the public, and deceiving the public into believing Defendants products ar
associated with, sponsored by, approved by and/or condoned by Plaintiff.
40. Defendant has further committed such acts with the intent to cause
confusion and mistake amongst customers and the public, deceiving the public int
believing that Defendants use of the phrase Live Love Cheer on its t-shirts an
hoodies is associated with, sponsored by, approved by and/or condoned by
Plaintiff. These acts constitute false designation of origin in violation of 15 U.S.C
1125(a).
41. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, tha
Defendant had actual knowledge of Plaintiffs ownership and prior use of it
LIVE LOVE CHEER mark, and without the permission or consent of Plaintiff
Defendant has willfully violated 15 U.S.C. 1125(a).
42.
Defendants actions have injured Plaintiff and damaged Plaintiff in an
amount to be determined at trial.
43.
By its actions, Defendant has irreparably harmed and injured Plaintiff
Such irreparable injury will continue unless this Court preliminarily and
permanently enjoins Defendant from further violation of Plaintiffs rights, fo
which Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
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9FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(California Statutory Trademark Infringement Pursuant to California
Business & Professions Code 14245)
44. Plaintiff hereby repeats, realleges and incorporates by referenc
Paragraphs 1 through 43 of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
45.
Plaintiff is the owner federally registered trademark LIVE LOVE
CHEER (Registration No. 3,817,720).
46.
This is an action for trademark infringement arising under Californi
Business & Professions Code 14245.
47. Defendant has used in commerce, without the permission or consent o
Plaintiff, t-shirts and hoodies bearing the logo Live Love Cheer that are identica
to and/or confusingly similar to the federally registered mark LIVE LOVE
CHEER. Defendant has infringed Plaintiffs federally registered LIVE LOVE
CHEER mark and created a false designation of origin by using said mark and/o
similar marks in connection with the manufacture, offer for sale, sale, distribution
promotion and/or marketing of Defendants products without the permission o
consent of Plaintiff. Defendants acts are designed to trade upon Plaintiff
reputation and goodwill by causing confusion and mistake among consumers and
the public. Defendants acts are also designed to deceive the public into believin
that Defendants products are associated with, sponsored by, approved by and/o
condoned by Plaintiff.
48.
Defendants actions have injured Plaintiff and damaged Plaintiff in an
amount to be determined at trial.
49. By its actions, Defendant has irreparably harmed and injured Plaintiff
Such irreparable injury will continue unless this Court preliminarily and
permanently enjoins Defendant from further violation of Plaintiffs rights, fo
which Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
50.
Pursuant to California Business & Professions Code 14247, et seq
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10FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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Plaintiff is entitled to injunctive relief throughout the State of California.
51. Pursuant to California Business & Professions Code 14247, et seq
Defendant may be required to pay Plaintiff up to three times its profits from, and up
to three times all damages suffered by reason of, Defendants wrongful sale, offe
for sale, or display of its t-shirts bearing the phrase Live Love Cheer.
FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Unfair Competition Pursuant to California Business & Professions Code
17200, et seq.)
52. Plaintiff hereby repeats, realleges and incorporates by referenc
Paragraphs 1 through 51 of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
53. The acts of Defendant described herein constitute unlawful, unfair and
fraudulent business acts and practices, in violation of California Business &
Professions Code 17200, et seq. Defendants unauthorized use of Plaintiff
Trademark, as set forth above, has caused and will continue to cause confusion
mistake and deception in that customers are likely to believe that Defendant
goods and services are associated with, connected to, affiliated with, authorized by
and endorsed and/or sponsored by Plaintiff.
54.
As a result of these acts, Defendant has received and will continue t
receive sales and profits generated from the strength of Plaintiffs success, goodwil
and consumer recognition.
55.
Plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer damages as a direc
result of Defendants conduct as described herein, and such damages will continu
unless the Court enjoins Defendants use of the Plaintiffs Trademark and force
Defendant to cease its copying practices.
56. As a proximate and legal result of Defendants unlawful conduct
Plaintiff has been damaged in its business relationships with its current and
prospective customers and has suffered damages in the form of lost profits, loss o
promotion and loss of goodwill.
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11FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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57.
Defendant should be required to restore Plaintiff with any and al
profits earned as a result of its unlawful and unfair actions. Defendant should b
held accountable for all profits wrongfully obtained and provide Plaintif
appropriate restitution.
FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF
(Negligent Interference With Prospective Economic Relations)
58.
Plaintiff hereby repeats, realleges and incorporates by referenc
Paragraphs 1 through 57 of this Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
59. This is an action for negligent interference with prospective economi
relations.
60. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, tha
Defendant has sold, offered for sale, manufactured and/or distributed products, an
advertised, marketed and promoted products that infringe Plaintiffs federally
registered trademark LIVE LOVE CHEER without the permission or consent o
Plaintiff.
61. Defendants unlawful conduct has deceived, or is likely to deceive
purchasers into believing that Plaintiffs Products and Defendants products ar
affiliated with, associated with, condoned and/or sold by Plaintiff. Defendant ha
negligently represented that its products are affiliated with Plaintiff, thereby
wrongfully and unfairly disrupting Plaintiffs business and diverting customer
from Plaintiff to Defendant.
62.
Defendants aforementioned actions constitute unfair busines
practices in violation of California Business & Professions Code 17200, et seq.
63. Defendants aforementioned actions constitute unlawful, unfair
malicious and/or fraudulent practices. As a result of Defendants actions o
negligent interference with prospective economic relations, Plaintiff has been
injured and lost money in an amount to be determined at trial.
64.
By its actions, Defendant has irreparably harmed and injured Plaintiff
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13FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
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Plaintiff and used a false designation of origin, false or misleading description o
fact and/or false or misleading representation of fact in violation of federal and
California state law;
g. That Defendant be adjudged to have deliberately, intentionally
and willfully competed unfairly with Plaintiff and to have used a false designation
of origin, false or misleading description of fact and/or false or misleading
representation of fact in violation of federal and California state law;
h.
That Defendant and its officers, agents, employees and al
persons acting or claiming to act on its behalf under its direction or authority, b
permanently enjoined and restrained from or engaging in acts of unfair competition
with Plaintiff relating to the sale of products that display Plaintiffs federally
registered LIVE LOVE CHEER mark in any manner in the sale, promotion
advertising, manufacture, purchase and/or distribution of Defendants products;
i.
That Defendant and its officers, agents, employees and al
persons acting or claiming to act on its behalf under its direction or authority, b
permanently enjoined and restrained from engaging in acts of false designatio
related to the sale of products that display Plaintiffs federally registered LIVE
LOVE CHEER mark in any manner in the sale, promotion, advertising, purchas
and/or distribution of Defendants products;
As to the Fifth Claim for Relief:
j.
That Defendant be adjudged to have intentionally and/o
negligently interfered with Plaintiffs prospective economic relations;
k. That Defendant and its officers, agents, employees and al
persons acting or claiming to act on its behalf under its direction or authority, b
permanently enjoined and restrained from or engaging in acts of intentiona
interference of prospective economic relations related to the sale of products tha
display Plaintiffs federally registered LIVE LOVE CHEER mark in any manne
in the sale, promotion, advertising, manufacture, purchase and/or distribution o
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14FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT
Defendants products;
l. That Defendant and its officers, agents, employees and al
persons acting or claiming to act on its behalf under its direction or authority, b
permanently enjoined and restrained from or engaging in acts of negligen
interference of prospective economic relations related to the sale of products tha
display Plaintiffs federally registered LIVE LOVE CHEER mark in any manne
in the sale, promotion, advertising, manufacture, purchase and/or distribution o
Defendants products;
m. That Defendant be ordered to pay damages for intentional an
negligent interference with prospective economic relations, in an amount to b
proven at trial;
As to all Claims for Relief:
n.
For an award of costs and reasonable attorneys fees; and
o.
For all other relief the Court deems just and proper.
JURY DEMAND
Plaintiff requests a trial by jury on all issues so triable.
DATED: September 2, 2014 PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES &
SAVITCH LLP
By: s L se M. FergusonL se M. FergusonHeather A. CameronPROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES& SAVITCH LLP525 B Street, Suite 2200San Diego, California 92101Telephone: 619.238.1900Facsimile: 619.235.0398
Attorneys for Plaintiff,
ZOE MARKETING,INC.
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