Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-casd-3_15-cv-00600/USCOURTS-casd-3_15-cv-00600-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 840
Nature of Suit: Trademark
Cause of Action: 15:1114 Trademark Infringement (Lanham Act)

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF 

ANESTHESIOLOGISTS, 

 Plaintiff, 

v. 

BEVMD, LLC, 

Defendant.

Case No. 15-CV-600-BAS-JLB 

CONSENT DECREE AND ORDER OF 

DISMISSAL 

BEVMD, LLC, 

Counter-Plaintiff, 

v. 

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF 

ANESTHESIOLOGISTS, 

Counter-Defendant.

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IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED, as follows: 

1. Factual Findings. Plaintiff/Counter-Defendant American Society of 

Anesthesiologists (“ASA”) originally filed its Complaint on November 18, 2014, in the 

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois seeking various injunctive 

and monetary relief pursuant to the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114 and 1125 and Illinois 

statutory and common law. The ASA claims that BevMD, LLC (“BevMD”) has been 

infringing the ASA’s trademarks and has been falsely claiming that BevMD’s product, 

Clearfast, has or received the ASA’s “Seal of Compliance.” 

2. BevMD filed a motion to transfer, which was granted. This case was 

transferred to this Court on March 17, 2015. (ECF No. 48.) 

3. The ASA filed an Amended Complaint in this Court on June 1, 2015, adding 

state and common law claims for false advertising and seeking a declaratory judgment of 

noninfringement of U.S. Patent 6,069,131. (ECF No. 66.) 

4. BevMD answered the Amended Complaint on May 2, 2016, and denied all 

allegations of trademark infringement. On that same day, BevMD also filed a 

counterclaim against the ASA asserting false advertising pursuant to California Business 

& Professional Code § 17500 et seq. and patent infringement. (ECF No. 91.) 

5. This Court has personal jurisdiction over the Parties and subject matter 

jurisdiction over the federal and state law claims in the ASA’s Complaint pursuant to 28 

U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1338(a) and 1367. 

6. On June 15, 2016, the Parties participated in an Early Neutral Evaluation 

Conference and the Lawsuit was amicably resolved. 

7. Term. Unless expressly stated, the specific prohibitions, obligations, and 

requirements imposed by this Order and Consent Decree shall be in effect for unlimited 

duration. 

8. Definitions. For purposes of this Order and Consent Decree, the following 

definitions shall apply: 

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a. The “ASA” means the American Society of Anesthesiologists, and its 

officers, employees, and agents, and successors and assigns. 

b. “ASA® Marks” means U.S. Trademark Registration 3,692,276 for 

“ASA” for use with, among other things: publications, namely, 

brochures, professional journals, newsletters, pamphlets, in the field of 

the medical practice of anesthesiology including pain management and 

critical care medicine; and U.S. Trademark Registration 3,760,149 for 

“American Society of Anesthesiologists” for use with, among other 

things: publications, namely, brochures, professional journals, 

newsletters, pamphlets, in the field of the medical practice of 

anesthesiology including pain management and critical care medicine. 

c. “BevMD” means BevMD, LLC, and its officers, agents and 

employees, and any successor or affiliated entities. The term 

“BevMD” also includes any new business or entity BevMD or any of 

its officers or employees may form in the future and that sells medical 

or healthcare-related products. 

d. “Clearfast” means that preoperative beverage sold by BevMD and that 

is at issue in the Lawsuit. 

9. Permanent Injunction. BevMD is permanently enjoined and barred from, 

directly or indirectly: 

a. Making any of the following statements, in whole or in part, regarding 

Clearfast, either verbatim or in substantially similar form: 

i. “In the interim, in 1999, the American Society of 

Anesthesiologists (ASA), issued its first official fasting 

guidelines for healthy patients having elective surgery. 

Basically, it completely validated the Clearfast® patent with 

the endorsement of the “two hour clear liquid fast.” 

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Consequently, in an unprecedented action, the ASA allowed 

BevMD to declare, on its Clearfast label, that it was in total 

compliance with those fasting guidelines;” 

ii. “The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) granted 

Clearfast® the distinction of stating on its label that it totally 

complies with its preoperative fasting guidelines;” and 

iii. “Clearfast® is the first U.S. patented and American Society of 

Anesthesiologist approved pre-operative beverage designed 

and patented by anesthesiologist M. Lou Marsh, M.D;” 

b. Using the ASA® Marks in connection with the sale of Clearfast or any 

other product; 

c. Making any statement that BevMD, Clearfast, or any other product has or 

received the ASA’s “Seal of Compliance;” 

d. Making any other statements that the ASA endorsed, approved, or 

evaluated Clearfast in connection with the sale of Clearfast or any other 

product; and 

e. Except as set forth in Section 10, making reference or comparison, 

either in writing or orally, to the ASA in connection with BevMD or 

the labeling, promotion, or marketing of Clearfast or any other product. 

10. Disclaimer. Notwithstanding the restrictions imposed under Section 9(a)-(e), 

BevMD may, in reference to Clearfast only, including the label of the bottle, any 

packaging, and any promotional or marketing materials, state that Clearfast “Meets the 

American Society of Anesthesiologists® Preoperative Fasting Guidelines for Clear 

Liquids” provided, however, that the disclaimer “The American Society of 

Anesthesiologists® has not evaluated these claims nor endorsed this product” is featured 

in a prominent position proximate to the foregoing statement. 

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11. Enforcement and Retention of Jurisdiction. The Court shall retain 

jurisdiction to entertain such further proceedings and to enter such further orders as may 

be necessary or appropriate to implement or enforce the terms of this Order and Consent 

Decree and the Settlement Agreement, which the parties agree shall be incorporated by 

reference into this Order and Decree. Upon obtaining knowledge of any violation by 

BevMD of the terms and provisions of this Order and Consent Decree, the ASA may seek 

relief from this court by way of motion or ex parte application. 

12. Dismissal. With the exception of the enforcement of this Order and Consent 

Decree and the Settlement Agreement, this action is dismissed with prejudice with each 

party to bear its own costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees 

DONE AND ORDERED in San Diego, California, on September 2, 2016. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: September 2, 2016 

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