Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-alsd-1_05-cv-00462/USCOURTS-alsd-1_05-cv-00462-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 840
Nature of Suit: Trademark
Cause of Action: 15:1051 Trademark Infringement

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

SOUTHERN DIVISION

PLANET SMOOTHIE FRANCHISES,

LLC,

Plaintiffs,

v.

DEAN MASSEY, an individual,

BOO/BEAR, LLC and SMOOTH PLANET,

LLC.,

Defendants.

CASE NO. CV-05-462

Order and Judgment

This matter is before the Court on the motion of all parties to enter an order adjudicating

this matter. Wherefore, it is ordered, adjudged, and decreed: 

A. The parties have stipulated:

1. Plaintiff, Planet Smoothie Franchises, LLC, (“Planet Smoothie”) is a

limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Georgia,

with its principal place of business in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 1995, Planet Smoothie or

its predecessors in interest have engaged in the operation and franchising of stores

featuring smoothie drinks and related food items throughout the United States. Planet

Smoothie also owns and licenses certain trademarks at issue in this matter, including but

not limited to those identified in Exhibit A, attached hereto. 

2. Defendant Dean Massey is an individual residing in Mobile, Alabama. 

Defendant Smooth Planet, LLC and Boo/Bear, LLC are limited liability companies

organized under the laws of Alabama doing business in Mobile County, Alabama.

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 1 of 12
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(Hereinafter Defendants Dean Massey and Smooth Planet, LLC and Boo/Bear, LLC. are

collectively referred to as “Massey.”)

3. Planet Smoothie, itself, and through its predecessors-in-interest, is the

owner or exclusive licensee of numerous trademarks, trade names, service marks, service

systems logos, names, insignias, slogans, emblems, symbols, commercial symbols,

designs, and other identifying characteristics (the “Planet Smoothie Marks”), which are

used in commerce to identify Planet Smoothie Stores, the goods and services sold therein

and the associated business goodwill. The Planet Smoothie Marks are either registered

with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“P.T.O.”) or an application is

pending for such registration. The Planet Smoothie Marks include the trademark Planet

Smoothie, the trademarks for various uniquely blended drinks and logotypes which

Planet Smoothie, or its predecessors in interest, have used in commerce continuously and

exclusively since as early as 1995. The use of the Planet Smoothie Marks is a prominent

feature of the décor of Planet Smoothie stores and the Planet Smoothie products that are

marketed throughout the Planet Smoothie network of stores.

4. The registered Planet Smoothie Marks are all registered on the principal

register of the P.T.O. pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1051. All of these registrations are valid

and subsisting. Other Planet Smoothie Marks used by Planet Smoothie are the subject of

pending applications for federal registration with the P.T.O.

5. The products and services offered by Planet Smoothie through its unique

system of stores are widely known and recognized by the Planet Smoothie Marks and

trade dress. Planet Smoothie customers rely on the exceptional quality and high

standards they associate with the Planet Smoothie Marks and trade dress.

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 2 of 12
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6. The Planet Smoothie Marks are widely and favorably known in the industry and

to the purchasing public as indicating the sole source of the products and services offered by

Planet Smoothie, and Planet Smoothie has built up goodwill of incalculable value in the Planet

Smoothie Marks and trade dress.

7. Planet Smoothie licenses the Planet Smoothie Marks and trade dress to

entrepreneurs who operate Planet Smoothie stores pursuant to franchise agreements with Planet

Smoothie. On or about July 26, 1999, Planet Smoothie and Massey entered into a franchise

agreement (the “Franchise Agreement”) by which Planet Smoothie granted Massey a franchise

to operate a Planet Smoothie store and licensed Massey to use the Planet Smoothie Marks at a

specific site located at 156C North McGregor Avenue, Mobile, AL 36608.

8. Paragraph 15 of the Franchise Agreement provides in pertinent part that upon

termination or expiration of the Agreement, all rights of Franchisee to use the Proprietary Marks

and the System and to operate the Franchised Business shall terminate and:

(a) Make Payments. Franchisee shall promptly pay all sums

owing to PSF [Planet Smoothie] and its subsidiaries and affiliates. 

In the event of in-term disputes due to defaults of Franchisee, as

well as, termination for any default of Franchisee, such sums shall

include all damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable

attorneys’ fees, incurred by PSF [Planet Smoothie] in connection

with those in-term disputes for defaults and/or that default and

termination.

(b) Cease Operations. Franchisee shall immediately cease to

operate the Franchised Business, and shall not thereafter, directly

or indirectly, represent itself to the public, or hold itself out as, a

present or former Franchisee of PSF [Planet Smoothie].

(c) Cease Using System. Franchisee shall immediately and

permanently cease to use, in any manner whatsoever, the System,

including without limitation, methods, processes, tools,

procedures, and techniques associated with the System, and all

Proprietary Marks and distinctive forms, slogans, symbols, and

devices associated with the System or PSF [Planet Smoothie]. 

Franchisee shall cease to use without limitation all signs,

marketing and advertising materials, displays, stationery, forms,

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 3 of 12
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and any other articles that display the Proprietary Marks. Further,

without limiting the foregoing, Franchisee shall immediately and

permanently cease to use in any manner whatsoever any

confidential recipes, formulas, customer and supplier lists, product

specifications lists, manuals, methods, procedures or techniques

associated with the System.

(d) Cease Using Confidential PSF [Planet Smoothie] Intranet

Website and Confidential PSF [Planet Smoothie] Intranet

Document Library. Franchisee shall immediately deliver to PSF

[Planet Smoothie] all copies of data, forms, postings, and

information from PSF’s [Planet Smoothie] confidential Intranet

Website and confidential PSF [Planet Smoothie] Intranet

Document Library, and shall deliver copies of all records, files,

instructions, correspondence, and materials related to operating the

Franchised Business, which include without limitation brochures,

agreements, invoices, signs, recipes, formulas, display cards, and

any and all other materials relating to the operation of the

Franchised Business in Franchisee’s possession, and all copies

thereof (all of which are acknowledged to be PSF’s [Planet

Smoothie] property).

(e) Remove Items. Franchisee shall remove from the Retail

Unit any equipment, fixtures, and furnishings not purchased by

PSF [Planet Smoothie] as provided in Paragraph 15.6, and return

to PSF [Planet Smoothie] all of the Proprietary Marks or other

indicia of PSF [Planet Smoothie] (or cease public or open display

of the Proprietary Marks if in such form or permanently attached

to an asset of Franchisee not purchased by PSF [Planet Smoothie]),

in whatever form and attached to whatever medium, and shall

withdraw or terminate, within five (5) days after termination or

expiration of this Agreement, any assumed name registration or

equivalent registration, telephone, or other listing containing any

of the Proprietary Marks. Franchisee must immediately assign to

PSF [Planet Smoothie] any rights it has in all telephone number(s)

from which Franchisee has done business and assist PSF [Planet

Smoothie] in the transfer of the right to use such telephone

number(s) or discontinue use of that number(s) upon PSF’s [Planet

Smoothie] request.

(f) Sell Items. Within fifteen (15) days of the termination or

expiration of this Agreement, PSF [Planet Smoothie] may arrange

for an inventory, at PSF’s [Planet Smoothie] cost, of all personal

property, fixtures, equipment, supplies and inventory located at the

Retail Unit or used in connection with the Franchised Business,

including, without limitation, any and all items bearing the

Proprietary Marks. PSF [Planet Smoothie] shall have the option,

exercisable within thirty (30) days after termination or expiration,

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 4 of 12
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to purchase any or all such items from Franchisee at fair market

value. If PSF [Planet Smoothie] assumes Franchisee’s lease for

the Retail Unit, the leasehold improvements and goodwill or value

attributable to Franchisee’s business, except any goodwill or value

attributed to the Proprietary Marks, shall be included in the

purchase price and determination of fair market value. If the

parties cannot agree on fair market value within a reasonable time,

PSF [Planet Smoothie] and Franchisee shall designate an

independent appraiser, whose determination will be binding, and

the costs of such appraisal shall be divided equally between PSF

[Planet Smoothie] and Franchisee. If PSF [Planet Smoothie] and

Franchisee cannot agree on an appraiser, each party must designate

an appraiser and both appraisers will agree on and designate a third

independent appraiser to make the determination of fair market

value, whose determination shall be binding, and the costs of such

appraisal shall be divided equally between PSF [Planet Smoothie]

and Franchisee.

(g) Pay Costs. Franchisee shall pay to PSF [Planet Smoothie]

all damages, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’

fees, incurred by PSF [Planet Smoothie] subsequent to the

termination or expiration of this Agreement in obtaining injunctive

or other relief for the enforcement of any provisions of this

Agreement.

9. Massey has failed to satisfy his/its contractual financial obligations to Planet

Smoothie since December 2002 and has breached his/its contract with Planet Smoothie

proximately causing damages to Planet Smoothie. 

10. On July 16, 2003, Massey received a written Notice of Termination with

Opportunity to Cure (the “Notice to Cure”) under Section 13 of the Franchise Agreement. On

August 5, 2003, Planet Smoothie sent to Massey a Notice of Termination (the “Notice of

Termination”) which terminated Massey’s rights to operate the store using the Planet Smoothie

Marks and gave Massey ten (10) days to remove all Planet Smoothie Marks and otherwise make

such modifications as were necessary to distinguish the appearance of the Store from other

Planet Smoothie stores operating in the Planet Smoothie System.

11. Massey failed to remove all Planet Smoothie Marks and has continued to operate the

business using the Planet Smoothie name, Planet Smoothie Marks, and Planet Smoothie trade

dress. Massey has not complied with any of the contractual obligations effective upon

termination of the agreement and Planet Smoothie has suffered irreparable damage proximately

caused by Massey’s acts.

12. Massey has infringed and continues to infringe the Planet Smoothie Marks

by continuing to use in commerce the Planet Smoothie Marks and reproductions,

counterfeits, copies and colorable imitations of the Planet Smoothie Marks in

connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution or advertising of smoothie

products to the public at the store, without the consent of Planet Smoothie and despite

the termination of the Franchise Agreement. Such unauthorized use of the Planet

Smoothie Marks is likely to cause confusion or mistake or to deceive the public in

violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1114.

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 5 of 12
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13. Massey has used and continues to use the Planet Smoothie Marks in connection with

the operation of the store in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), in that he has used and is using a

false designation of origin and a false description or representation in connection with products

and services, tending falsely to describe or represent the origin of those products and services,

and causing such products and services to enter into commerce. Such unauthorized use of the

Planet Smoothie Marks is a false description and representation that the store is legitimately

connected with, affiliated with, franchised by, or in some other manner sponsored, endorsed or

approved by Planet Smoothie.

14. By operating a store that features Planet Smoothie’s decor and style, labels, logos

and providing service and products with Planet Smoothie labels and Planet Smoothie logos that

are the same as the Planet Smoothie trade dress described above, Massey has caused and will

continue to cause confusion and mistake as to the source and/or origin of the products and/or

services bearing the Planet Smoothie Marks in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a).

15. Massey has unlawfully and unfairly misrepresented the goods and services at the

store to be those of Planet Smoothie or so closely connected with Planet Smoothie goods and

services as to give the impression that he is legitimately connected with, affiliated with,

franchised by, or in some other manner sponsored, endorsed, or approved by Planet Smoothie.

Massey’s continuing acts constitute unfair competition, including the unlawful misappropriation

of the goodwill and business reputation of Planet Smoothie.

16. Massey’s unauthorized use of the Planet Smoothie Marks at the store has injured

Planet Smoothie’s business reputation and diluted the distinctive quality of the Planet Smoothie

Marks.

17. Massey has violated Ala. Code § 8-12-1 et. seq. by the unauthorized use and

reproduction of Planet Smoothie Marks. 

B. The Court enters judgment as follows:

1. Judgment is entered for Planet Smoothie Franchises LLC, and against Dean

Massey, Boo/Bear LLC and Smooth Planet, LLC jointly and severally, in the amount of FIFTY

THOUSAND AND 00/100 DOLLARS ($50,000.00).

2. (A) Defendants are permanently enjoined from using the “Planet Smoothie

Marks” identified specifically on Exhibit A (attached) in connection with the sale, offering for

sale, distribution, or advertising of Smoothie products or any marks confusingly similar to the

Planet Smoothie Marks; 

(B) Defendants are permanently enjoined from causing products bearing any of

the “Planet Smoothie Marks” identified in Exhibit A or any marks confusingly similar to the

Planet Smoothie Marks to enter into commerce; 

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 6 of 12
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(C) Defendants are permanently enjoined from representing in any manner that

defendants and/or their business operations are connected with, affiliated with, franchised by, or

in some other manner sponsored, endorsed, or approved by Planet Smoothie Franchises, LLC; 

(D) Defendants are permanently enjoined from using any trade dress, color

schemes, logos, designs, menu boards or other commercials symbols and designs that are

associated with the Planet Smoothie Marks, and shall not operate a smoothie business on any

premises using décor in the color purple, or any color scheme featuring purple, except that

defendants may continue to use the purple countertops currently in use at their place of business

and defendants may otherwise continue their operations and business in the current location

notwithstanding any provision(s) in any contract or agreement involving Plaintiff and

Defendants.

(E) Defendants are permanently enjoined from using any goods, emblems, signs,

displays, uniforms, or other item on which any of the Planet Smoothie Marks are imprinted and

shall immediately return to Planet Smoothie Franchises, LLC any and all such items by delivery

to a location in Mobile County, Alabama designated in writing by plaintiff within ten (10) days

of this order, with costs of delivery to be paid by defendants;

(F) Defendants are permanently enjoined from using or adopting any manuals,

instructions, or materials delivered to defendants by Planet Smoothie under the terminated

Franchise Agreement or any manuals, instructions or materials derived therefrom and shall

immediately return to Planet Smoothie Franchises, LLC any and all such items in their

possession or control by delivery to a location in Mobile County, Alabama designated in writing

by plaintiff with costs of delivery to be paid by defendants;

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 7 of 12
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(G) Defendants are enjoined from making any statement about Planet Smoothie, or

their dealings with Planet Smoothie (except as may be required by future court order) except for:

“We were a franchisee of Planet Smoothie and that relationship has ended.” 

This the 21st day of September, 2005.

/s/ WILLIAM S.STEELE

____________________________________

United States District Judge

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 8 of 12
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EXHIBIT A 

Planet Smoothie MARKS

REGISTERED MARKS

Proprietary Marks Application/Registration No. Date

Anti-Oxidant Blast® 2426478 2/6/01

Anti-Stress Blast® 2426477 2/6/01

The Best Tasting Smoothie on the Planet® 2473487 7/31/01

Booster Blast® 2426885 2/6/01

The “Cup Man” on Skateboard TM 76180592

12/13/00

The “Cup Man” on Skateboard on 

Curvy Road to Nowhere TM 76180589 12/13/00

The “Cup Man” on Bicycle TM 76180588

12/13/00

The “Cup Man” Inside Earth Figure® 2310931 1/25/00

Fat Burner Blast® 2405507 11/21/00

Fast Fuel TM 75893041 1/10/00

Immune Blast® 2412226 12/12/00

Mega Protein Blast TM 75870622

12/13/99

Planet Living TM 76323441 10/9/01

Planet Smoothie - The “Cup Man” 

with Flag on Top of Mountain TM 76180590 12/13/00

Planet Smoothie® 2360991 6/27/00

Planet Smoothie® 2469892 7-17-01

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 9 of 12
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Planet Smoothie the Best Tasting 

Smoothie on the Planet TM 75530821 8/4/98

Protein Blast® 2456712 6/5/01

Round-a-Bouts® 2358507 6/13/00

Turkey & Friends® 2542213 2/26/02

Veggie Cha Cha TM 75914194 2/8/00

Welcome to the Planet® 2454648 5/29/01

Women’s Only Blast® 2484776 9/4/01

Workout Blast® 2513820 12/4/01

PLANET SMOOTHIE (Georgia) T-17063 & S-17015 03/20/98

PLANET SMOOTHIE (South Carolina) N/A 7/13/98

UNREGISTERED TRADEMARKS

THE BEAST TM

BEST TASTING SMOOTHIE ON 

 THE PLANET! TM

BIG TUNA TM

BILLY BOB BANANA TM

CAPTAIN KID TM

THE CHEW FACTOR TM

CHICKEN CHA CHA TM

CHOCOLATE CHIMP TM

CHOCOLATE ELVIS TM

COOL BLENDED SMOOTHIES TM

COUNT COCONUT TM

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 10 of 12
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CRAZY BEE TM

FAST FUEL TM

FIVE FRUIT FRENZY TM

FROZEN GOAT TM

GRAPE APE TM

HANGOVER OVER TMÔ

HAVE-A-BLAST TM

HUGE-IT! TM

I THINK I CRAN TM

IN THE ZONE TM

JUG HEAD TM

LAST MANGO TM

LEAPIN’ LIZARD TM

LIFE IS ROUGH/HAVE A SMOOTHIE TM

LUNAR LEMONADE TM

MAC DADDY MUG TM

MEDITERRANEAN MONSTER TM

MEGA PROTEIN BLAST TM

MERLIN’S MIXES TM

MR. MONGO TM

PB&J TM

POWER LUNCH TM

PROTEIN BLAST TM

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 11 of 12
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RASMANIAN DEVIL TM

REAL DEALS TM

ROAD RUNNER TM

SPAZZ TM

THELMA & LOUISE TM

TURKEY & FRIENDS TM

TWIG & BERRIES TM

TWO PIECE BIKINI TM

VEGGIE CHA CHA TM

VINNIE DEL ROCCO TM

WELCOME TO THE PLANET! TM

WELLNESS BLAST TM

WEREWOLF TM

WOMEN’S ONLY BLAST TM

WORKOUT BLAST TM

YO’ ADRIANE TM

YOUR HEALTHY MEAL REPLACEMENT TM

ZERO GRAVITY TM

ZEUS JUICE TM

Case 1:05-cv-00462-WS-D Document 26 Filed 09/21/05 Page 12 of 12