Opinion ID: 795959
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Lanard's Interactions with the Humvee/Hummer brands

Text: 4 In 1992, Lanard Toys, Inc. began selling a toy vehicle called the MUDSLINGER. It was modeled after the Humvee military vehicle, including a similar grille design to that of the Humvee. The box for the MUDSLINGER labeled the toy as a Hyper Humvee. Lanard's sales records show that the MUDSLINGER had limited sales between 1992 and 1996, including no sales for the years of 1994 and 1996. In July 1993, AM General contacted Lanard regarding the use of their trademarked name of Humvee on its toys. After correspondence between the two parties, Lanard agreed to stop using the Humvee name on its toys, but continued to manufacture the MUDSLINGER toy. There is dispute between the parties as to whether Lanard agreed with AM General that Lanard could continue to manufacture MUDSLINGER toys. 5 In February 1997, Lanard contacted AM General regarding putting the Humvee name back on its toys. Lanard, at the time, was producing a number of military vehicle toys, including the THE CORPS! ATK vehicle at issue in this case. The ATK vehicle has a similar design to that of the MUDSLINGER vehicle. In response to Lanard's letter, AM General sent a cease-and-desist letter to Lanard to stop using all of AM General's trademarks. Lanard responded by stating that it did not use either the Hummer or Humvee names on its packaging. 6 In November 1998, AM General sent a demand letter to Lanard regarding the ATK vehicle's nose design. Lanard responded by refusing to comply with the demand to stop producing the toy. In November 2000, General Motors contacted Lanard to inform it that Lanard's military toy vehicles infringed on the Hummer vehicle produced by General Motors. Lanard again rejected that contention and continued to produce its toys. On March 20, 2001, General Motors filed suit claiming that Lanard's toys infringed on its rights to the Hummer vehicle and grille design.