Opinion ID: 204909
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The WCPA

Text: Lahoti additionally appeals the district court's holding that he violated the WCPA. To prove a violation of the WCPA, a plaintiff must demonstrate that (1) the action complained of is an unfair act or practice; (2) in the conduct of trade or commerce; (3) affecting the public interest; (4) injuring business or property; (5) and with a causal link between the deceptive act and the injury suffered. See Nordstrom, Inc. v. Tampourlos, 107 Wash.2d 735, 733 P.2d 208, 210 (1987). Confusion of the public typically satisfies the public interest element of the WCPA. Id. at 212. Lahoti argues that the district court erred in finding that he violated the WCPA, because the inadvertent infringement of a weak mark is not sufficient to qualify as a public interest. Seattle Endeavors, Inc. v. Mastro, 123 Wash.2d 339, 868 P.2d 120, 127 (1994). But this is not a case of inadvertent infringement. First, Lahoti acted in bad faith. Lahoti, 586 F.3d at 1202-04. Second, we have concluded that the VERICHECK mark was both distinctive and strong. Finally, though Lahoti argues that there is no admissible evidence that anyone in Washington State was actually confused, there is a likelihood of confusion, and there was testimony about significant actual confusion and testimony that Vericheck has numerous customers in Washington State. [5] The district court's finding of a violation of the WCPA is therefore AFFIRMED.