Some Claims are Stronger than Others—Eleventh Circuit Revives Protein Supplement Maker’s Lanham Act Claim But Holds that Georgia Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act Claim is Preempted by Federal Law
Posted on Dec 13, 2018 in Consumer Protection | Comments Off on Some Claims are Stronger than Others—Eleventh Circuit Revives Protein Supplement Maker’s Lanham Act Claim But Holds that Georgia Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act Claim is Preempted by Federal Law
The Eleventh Circuit recently reversed in part and affirmed in part the dismissal of a complaint alleging violations of the Georgia Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, O.C.G.A. § 10-1-372, and the federal Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a). Hi-Tech Pharm., Inc. v. HBS Int’l, 2018 WL 6314282 (11th Cir. Dec. 4, 2018). The case presented important questions about the relationship between...
Defendant Sails to Victory in Trade Secret Case
Posted on Aug 13, 2018 in Intellectual Property | Comments Off on Defendant Sails to Victory in Trade Secret Case
In Yellowfin Yachts, Inc. v. Barker Boatworks, LLC, 2018 WL 3734344 (11th Cir. Aug. 7, 2018), the Eleventh Circuit upheld the dismissal of trade-secret claims related to the manufacture and sale of fishing boats. Yellowfin Yachts is a manufacturer of high-end fishing boats, allegedly known in the marketplace for the “swept sheer line” of their boats. Yellowfin hired Kevin Barker in...
Eleventh Circuit Digs Deep to Revive SCAD Trademark Suit
Posted on Oct 10, 2017 in Intellectual Property | Comments Off on Eleventh Circuit Digs Deep to Revive SCAD Trademark Suit
In an October 3, 2017, opinion, a panel of the Eleventh Circuit reversed the Northern District of Georgia’s grant of summary judgment for the defendant in a trademark-infringement suit brought by Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). In Savannah College of Art and Design, Inc. v. Sportswear, Inc., 2017 WL 4369451, the court held that the district court erred in concluding that...
Asset Buyer Not Bound by Lanham Act Injunction Without Proof of Actual Notice
Posted on Apr 17, 2017 in Civil Procedure | Comments Off on Asset Buyer Not Bound by Lanham Act Injunction Without Proof of Actual Notice
The buyer of most of the operating assets of a company subject to a Lanham Act injunction was held by the Eleventh Circuit not to be subject to the injunction, even though the seller’s CEO and owner became president and part-owner of the buyer as part of the sale. ADT LLC v. NorthStar Alarm Services, LLC, 2017 WL 1364978 (11th Cir. Apr. 14, 2017). A year after the sale, the plaintiff,...
Court SLAPPS Down Defamation Suit
Posted on Feb 22, 2017 in Constitutional Law | Comments Off on Court SLAPPS Down Defamation Suit
The Eleventh Circuit upheld a district court’s rejection of a doctor’s libel and false advertising action challenging two articles highly critical of his novel medical treatments. In Edward Lewis Tobinick, MD v. Novella, 2017 WL 603832 (11th Cir. Feb. 15, 2017), the court upheld the district court’s orders striking state-law claims pursuant to California’s anti-SLAPP statute,...