Geissele v. Joe Bob Complaint PDF
Geissele v. Joe Bob Complaint PDF
Geissele v. Joe Bob Complaint PDF
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK
14 CV
9182
v.
JOE BOB OUTFITTERS, LLC
Defendant.
COMPLAINT
1.
This is an action for trademark infringement and unfair competition under Section
43 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125, and under the law of the State of New York.
THE PARTIES
2.
intellectual property cited herein, is a Pennsylvania limited liability company with a principal
place of business at 800 North Wales Road, North Wales, PA 19454.
3.
intellectual property cited herein, is a Pennsylvania limited liability company with a principal
place of business at 800 North Wales Road, North Wales, PA 19454.
4.
Upon information and belief, Defendant Joe Bob Outfitters, LLC is a Kansas
limited liability company with its principal place of business at 1340 280th Avenue, Hays,
Kansas 67601..
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
5.
This Court has jurisdiction over the federal claims of this action pursuant to 28
U.S.C. 1331, 28 U.S.C. 1338, and 15 U.S.C. 1121, and has jurisdiction over the state claims
under 28 U.S.C. 1338(b) and further pursuant to its supplemental jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.
1367. The state claims asserted herein are so related to the federal claims as to form part of the
same case or controversy.
6.
This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because it has engaged in acts
constituting doing business in this State, including in this judicial district, and has intentionally
directed its tortious activities toward New York, including this judicial district.
Upon
information and belief, Defendant has engaged in tortious acts within this State, including this
judicial district. These acts include but are not limited to acts of trademark infringement and
unfair competition directed to consumers in this State, including in this judicial district.
7.
8.
States.
researching and developing unique designs of firearm tools and accessories including, but not
limited to, triggers, gas blocks, rails, and other components, that have been supplied to both
civilian consumers and the U.S. military, including Special Operations Forces.
9.
Through its website and the excellence of its products, Geissele has not only sold
goods but has built the Geissele brand to be synonymous with excellence in quality and design
of unique firearm tools and accessories. Geissele sells its products in the United States and
abroad through itself and through authorized distributors.
10.
the distinctive mark GEISSELE. Geissele is the exclusive licensee of this trademark registration.
A true and correct copy of the registration certificate is attached as Exhibit A.
11.
the distinctive mark GEISSELE. Geissele is the exclusive licensee of this trademark registration.
A true and correct copy of the registration certificate is attached as Exhibit B.
12.
distinctive design mark for G. Geissele is the exclusive licensee of this trademark registration.
A true and correct copy of the registration certificate is attached as Exhibit C.
13.
Joe Bob uses illicit and unlawful means to drive customers to the Joe Bob
website, diminish the goodwill of Geissele, among others, and lure customers away from
legitimate manufacturers such as Geissele.
14.
For example, a customer who searches for Geissele products on Joe Bobs
website is offered both Geissele products at a price well below the Minimum Advertised Price
(MAP) set by Geissele, in addition to third party products that do not originate with, and are
not sponsored or approved by, Geissele. (See Exhibits D and E.)
15.
These and Joe Bobs other unlawful acts evince an intent by Joe Bob to deceive
the public in an effort to lure consumers into purchasing, directly from Joe Bob, Geissele
products at a price below the MAP set by Geissele, in addition to non-Geissele products.
16.
Moreover, Joe Bobs website, including but not limited to its references to
Geissele, is likely to confuse consumers into believing that Joe Bob has an affiliation,
connection, and/or association with Geissele, and is further likely to confuse and deceive
consumers into believing that non-Geissele products originate with, are sponsored by, or
approved by Geissele.
17.
At one point in time, Joe Bob was one of Geisseles retailers. However, in or
about January 2014, the parties had a falling out, and in or about that time Geissele instituted a
Do Not Sell List policy to prevent Joe Bob from selling Geissele products. Joe Bob is
currently one of two companies on Geisseles Do Not Sell List.
18.
offer to sell, and sell Geissele products on its website illicitly utilizing Geisseles trademarks
mentioned above even though Geissele neither sponsors nor approves such use. (See Exhibits D
and E.)
Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege the allegations contained in each of the preceding
This claim arises under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.
21.
On the basis of the foregoing paragraphs, Joe Bob is intentionally using copies of
Plaintiffs registered trademarks in commerce in connection with the sale, offering for sale,
distribution, or advertising of goods on or in connection with which such use is likely to cause
confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive in violation of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114.
22.
Joe Bob has profited from its illegal and bad faith activities.
23.
Joe Bobs bad faith activities. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law and are thus damaged
in an amount to be determined by the jury and this Court.
Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege the allegations contained in each of the preceding
Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a), prohibits, inter alia, the use
Joe Bobs activities, in advertising, offering for sale, and selling Geissele products
Joe Bob has profited from its illegal and bad faith activities.
28.
a result of Joe Bobs bad faith activities. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law and are thus
damaged in an amount to be determined by the jury and this Court.
THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
DECEPTIVE ACTS AND PRACTICES UNDER
SECTION 349 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL BUSINESS LAW
29.
Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege the allegations contained in each of the preceding
By the acts described above, Joe Bob has willfully engaged in deceptive acts or
practices in the conduct of business and furnishing of goods in violation of Section 349 of the
New York General Business Law.
31.
Joe Bobs acts have caused, and will continue to cause, irreparable injury to
Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law and are thus damaged in an amount to be
determined by the jury and this Court.
Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege the allegations contained in each of the preceding
By the acts described above, Joe Bob has engaged in trademark infringement in
Joe Bobs acts have caused, and will continue to cause, irreparable injury to
Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law and are thus damaged in an amount to be
determined by the jury and this Court.
Plaintiffs repeat and re-allege the allegations contained in each of the preceding
By the acts described above, Joe Bob has engaged in unfair competition in
Joe Bobs acts have caused, and will continue to cause, irreparable injury to
Plaintiffs. Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law and are thus damaged in an amount to be
determined by the jury and this Court.
Pursuant to Rule 38, Fed R. Civ. P., Plaintiffs hereby demand a trial by jury on all
B.
D.
E.
F.
G.
That Defendant be directed to file with this Court and serve on Plaintiffs within
thirty (30) days after service of the injunction, a report in writing, under oath,
setting forth in detail the manner and form in which the Defendant has complied
with the injunction;
H.
That Defendant be required to account for and pay over to Plaintiffs all damages
sustained by Plaintiffs, as well as any and all of Defendants gains, revenues,
profits and advantages attributable to or derived from the acts complained of in
this Complaint, including an assessment of interest on the damages so computed,
and that the damages be enhanced, pursuant to Section 35 of the Lanham Act,
and as otherwise permitted by law;
I.
That each such award of damages be enhanced to the maximum available for each
infringement in view of Defendants willful infringement of Plaintiffs rights;
J.
K.
L.
That Plaintiffs recover the costs of this action including their expenses and
reasonable attorneys fees pursuant to all applicable law, because of the deliberate
and willful nature of the infringing activities of Defendant sought to be enjoined
hereby, which make this an exceptional case warranting such award;
M.
N.
That Plaintiffs obtain all further relief permitted under the laws of the United
States and the State ofNew York; and,
0.
That Plaintiffs obtain all such other and further relief as the Court may deem just
and equitable.
Respectfully submitted,
1)~1~
Lee A. Goldberg (LG-9423)
Dianna G. El Hioum (DG-4294)
Benjamin H. Graf(BG-1409)
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
767 Third Avenue, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10017
(212) 223-6520 (phone)
(212) 223-6521 (fax)
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
10
EXHIBIT A
EXHIBIT B
EXHIBIT C
EXHIBIT D
11/18/2014
Geissele
Case 1:14-cv-09182-WHP Document
1 Triggers
Filed 11/18/14 Page 18 of 24
About Us
Contact Us
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My Account
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View Cart
[ 0 Items: $0.00 ]
for handguns
HOW TO GUIDE:
ORDERING A FIREARM
ACCESSORIES
AMMUNITION
PRODUCTS
AR-15 PARTS
SALE BIN
VORTEX OPTICS
MILITARY/LEO DISCOUNT
Find by Pricing
Find by Brand
ORDER A FIREARM
***SALE BIN***
**NEW PRODUCTS**
3-GUN ACCESSORIES
ACCESSORIES
AMMUNITION
AK47 PARTS/ACCESSORIES
AR-10 PARTS
AR-15 PARTS
BLACK DOG MAGAZINES
BLADE-TECH
CHOKE TUBES
ERGO GRIPS
EXPLODING TARGETS
FIREARM ACCESSORIES
FIREARMS
FLASHLIGHTS
Search Within
40 per page
Page 1
of 1
GEISSELE TRIGGERS
GRIFFIN ARMAMENT
JP ENTERPRISES
KIES FIREARMS
KNIVES
KNS PRECISION
LIFEPROOF PHONE CASES
MAGPUL ACCESSORIES
MEGA-ARMS
(40 REVIEWS)
NFA/CLASS 3 ITEMS
NORDIC COMPONENTS
(1 REVIEW)
JOEBOB GEAR
CONCEALED CARRY CLASSES
FISHINGLIGHTSETC
OUR NEWSLETTER
(72 REVIEWS)
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Geissele_Triggers_s/22479.htm
1/3
11/18/2014
Geissele
Case 1:14-cv-09182-WHP Document
1 Triggers
Filed 11/18/14 Page 19 of 24
NOW AVAILABLE!
(15 REVIEWS)
(15 REVIEWS)
(36 REVIEWS)
(5 REVIEWS)
(1 REVIEW)
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Geissele_Triggers_s/22479.htm
2/3
11/18/2014
Geissele
Case 1:14-cv-09182-WHP Document
1 Triggers
Filed 11/18/14 Page 20 of 24
Geissele SD-3G Super Dynamic 3 Gun Trigger 3.5LB
Usually Ships in 24 Hours
MSRP: $260.00
JoeBob's Sale Price: $259.95
JoeBob dun saved you $0.05!
(18 REVIEWS)
TERMS OF USE
PRODUCT INDEX
CATEGORY INDEX
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Geissele_Triggers_s/22479.htm
3/3
EXHIBIT E
11/18/2014
JoeBobOutfitters.com
Case 1:14-cv-09182-WHP Document
1 Filed 11/18/14 Page 22 of 24
About Us
Contact Us
Help / FAQ
My Account
FREE SHIPPING
View Cart
[ 0 Items: $0.00 ]
for handguns
HOW TO GUIDE:
ORDERING A FIREARM
ACCESSORIES
AMMUNITION
AR-15 PARTS
SALE BIN
VORTEX OPTICS
MILITARY/LEO DISCOUNT
Search: "Geissele"
Sorting:
Relevancy
of
PRICE
CATEGORY
(15 REVIEWS)
TRIGGERS/SPRINGS (10)
MANUFACTURER
(1 REVIEW)
PRODUCTS
ORDER A FIREARM
***SALE BIN***
(1 REVIEW)
**NEW PRODUCTS**
3-GUN ACCESSORIES
ACCESSORIES
AMMUNITION
AK47 PARTS/ACCESSORIES
AR-10 PARTS
AR-15 PARTS
BLACK DOG MAGAZINES
BLADE-TECH
CHOKE TUBES
ERGO GRIPS
EXPLODING TARGETS
FIREARM ACCESSORIES
FIREARMS
FLASHLIGHTS
GEISSELE TRIGGERS
GRIFFIN ARMAMENT
GUN STORAGE SOLUTIONS
HIPERFIRE TRIGGERS
(36 REVIEWS)
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Search_a/241.htm?q=Geissele&Submit=
1/3
11/18/2014
JoeBobOutfitters.com
Case 1:14-cv-09182-WHP Document
1 Filed 11/18/14 Page 23 of 24
JP ENTERPRISES
KIES FIREARMS
KNIVES
KNS PRECISION
LIFEPROOF PHONE CASES
MAGPUL ACCESSORIES
MEGA-ARMS
NFA/CLASS 3 ITEMS
NORDIC COMPONENTS
OPTICS & ACCESSORIES
RIMFIRE PRODUCTS
***CLOSEOUTS***
JOEBOB GEAR
OUR NEWSLETTER
(15 REVIEWS)
NOW AVAILABLE!
(18 REVIEWS)
(72 REVIEWS)
(40 REVIEWS)
(45 REVIEWS)
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Search_a/241.htm?q=Geissele&Submit=
2/3
11/18/2014
JoeBobOutfitters.com
Case 1:14-cv-09182-WHP Document
1 Filed 11/18/14 Page 24 of 24
JoeBob's Sale Price: $1,399.95
JoeBob dun saved you $69.05!
TERMS OF USE
PRODUCT INDEX
of
CATEGORY INDEX
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/Search_a/241.htm?q=Geissele&Submit=
3/3