Source: http://filamfood.org/lawsuit-phil-am-trading-vs-phil-am-food-merchandising/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 10:10:22+00:00

Document:
Peruse below what was filed in court by the Plaintiff.
This is a complaint for Trademark Infringement, Unfair Competition, False Designation of Origin and Trademark Dilution arising under, inter alia, §§ 32 and 43 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S. C. §§114(1) (Registered Trademark Infringement) and 1125(a) (Unfair Competition, False Designation of Origin, and Unregistered Trademark Infringement) and 1125(c)(Trademark Dilution) as well as related state law consumer fraud and common law claims.
This Court has original subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§1331 and 1338(a) and 15 U.S.C. §1121. This Court has related claim jurisdiction over the state law tort claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1338(b) and 28 U.S.C. §1367.
Venue is proper in this district under 28 U.S.C. §1391(a), in that the Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction in this district at the time the action is commenced, and under 28 U.S.C. §1391(b) and (c) because a substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claims occurred in this district and the Defendant maintains its principal place of business in this district.
4. Plaintiff, Trading, is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, engaged in the business of wholesale distribution services, having a principal place of business at 324-330 Hoboken Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306.
5. Defendant is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, engaged in the business of retail food sales, having a principal place of business at 683 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306.
6. Plaintiff, Trading, is a well-known wholesale distribution company specializing in wholesale distribution services and branded food products operating under the name and trademark PHIL-AM.
7. Defendant is a retail grocery store engaged in direct to consumer sales of Filipino-based goods and products under the name PHIL-AM that has inappropriately expanded into the wholesale distribution and e-commerce fields under the same name.
8. Both Trading and Defendant can trace their corporate history to a common predecessor company called Phil-Am Food Mart, Inc., formed in May of 1973, and which originally operated as a retail grocery store. Sometime shortly thereafter, at least as early as, February 1, 1974, Phil-Am Food Mart, Inc., expanded into wholesale distribution services and branded food products. Thereafter, Phil-Am Food Mart, Inc. again expanded and began providing food catering services.
All business were conducted under the name PHIL-AM.
9. On or about December 31, 2002, Phil-Am Food Mart, Inc. underwent a corporate separation and reorganization, memorialized by fully executed written agreements, in which its retail division, wholesale distribution, and catering services were wholly and fully separated and transferred to three distinct, newly formed corporate entities. The wholesale distribution division was transferred to Plaintiff, Trading. The retail division, without any right of wholesale distribution under the PHIL-AM name, was transferred to Defendant, Merchandising. The catering business was transferred to Casa Victoria, Inc. The transfers expressly included all respective trademarks, tradenames, customer lists and all associated goodwill for each of the three businesses as applicable to each separate and distinct division. Shortly after the corporate separation and reorganization, Phil-Am Food Mart, Inc. was dissolved (the “Dissolution”).
10. The name and mark PHIL-AM has been continuously used in commerce in relation to wholesale distribution service and branded food products since at least as early as February 1, 1974, until present, and since the Dissolution, exclusively by Trading except for Defendant’s misappropriation.
11. Since its formation on December 31, 2002, Trading has continuously used the name and mark PHIL-AM in connection with wholesale distribution services and PHIL-AM branded Filipino based food products.
was accepted on June 2, 2015 for the ‘741 Registration. Likewise, a Section 15 Declaration ofncontestability was accepted on June 18, 2015 for the ‘741 Registration.
Frozen yogurt” in International Class 030.
similar and/or identical marks branding inferior goods and services.
distribution services and branded products, both in New Jersey and throughout the United States.
States and the Philippines and anywhere there is a strong Filipino presence.
under the identical PHIL-AM name and mark.
PHIL-AM name and mark have greatly expanded.
name and mark have greatly expanded.
services under the PHIL-AM name and mark.
facilitating those sales with the significant brand recognition and goodwill of Trading.
in fact receiving expired and/or counterfeit food products.
24, 2015. Issue in both TTAB proceedings was joined by Trading on September 4, 2015.
foods under the PHIL-AM name and mark and on the website of www.philamfood.com.
services occurring at Defendant’s retail grocery store which utilizes the PHIL-AM name.
Defendant’s wholesale food distribution and e-commerce food sale services.
in confusing everyone, even long-time friends and customers of Trading.
renege at the last minute without any real dispute as to the salient terms of settlement.
and mark it has long possessed and has exclusive rights.
paragraphs 1 through 39 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
41. There is a strong public policy in enforcing settlement agreements.
mutually acceptable settlement agreement that would dispose of all claims herein.
expressed in the form of a written settlement agreement circulated by and amongst the parties.
All objections were negotiated and fixed and thereafter, no material objections were raised.
into the fully negotiated settlement agreement and reneged on its previous representations.
paragraphs 1 through 45 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
that displays the PHIL-AM mark, constitutes trademark infringement pursuant to 15 U.S.C.
commerce on the website www.philamfood.com, despite its knowledge of Trading’s prior rights.
paragraphs 1 through 51 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
distribution services and branded food products since at least as early as February 1, 1974.
included all associated good will.
association with wholesale food distribution and e-commerce food services.
constitutes trademark infringement pursuant to 15 U.S.C. §1125(a).
paragraphs 1 through 63 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
AM in association with wholesale food distribution and e-commerce food services.
caused confusion, mistake and deception among consumers.
irreparable harm and an injury for which Trading has no adequate remedy at law.
paragraphs 1 through 67 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
substantial goodwill, recognition and reputation through the United States.
origin, sponsorship or approval by Trading of Defendant’s use of Trading’s name and marks.
71. These acts by Defendant constitute a violation of §43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.
constitutes irreparable harm and an injury for which Trading has no adequate remedy at law.
paragraphs 1 through 72 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
and are entitled to protection against dilution by blurring and tarnishment.
distinctive for such goods and services.
paragraphs 1 through 77 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
first use at least as early as February 1, 1974.
paragraphs 1 through 84 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
merchandise, in violation of N.J.S.A. 56:8-1 et seq.
no adequate remedy at law.
paragraphs 1 through 89 of the Complaint as if fully set forth at length.
trademarks, Reg. Nos. 4,734,387 and 3, 672,741.
result, should not be cancelled or otherwise encumbered in any way.
products or their connectedness to Defendant.
That the Court declare that Trading’s federally registered trademarks Reg. Nos.
For such other relief as the Court deems just and proper.
/s/ Clay D. Shorrock, Esq.
Plaintiff hereby demands a trial by jury of all issues triable before a jury.
other action pending in any court, or of any pending arbitration or administrative proceeding.
* Note that Phil-Am Food’s actual name registered as a corporation is Phil-Am Merchandising, Inc.
* * This case was settled in 2016 with Phil-Am Food changing its business name to Filstop.
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References: §1121
 §1338
 §1367
 §1391
 §1391
 §1125
 §43