November 17, 2005
Yamoto Distributor and Yamaha Working Towards Settling Infringement Lawsuit
Patriot Motorcycles Corporation, the U.S. distributor of Yamoto motorcycles and ATVs, is trying to settle a lawsuit filed against it by Yamaha Motor Corporation and its parent, Yamaha Motor Co., Inc., the world's second largest manufacturer of motorcycles and ATVs. Plaintiffs filed the complaint in California federal court in October claiming that Patriot and the manufacturer and dealer of Yamoto products infringed on the Yamaha marks by importing and selling "knock-offs" of Yamaha products, adopting a similar brand name and decorating Yamoto goods with graphics similar to Yamaha's. At the center of the dispute are Yamaha's Raptor line of ATVs and its model TT-R125 off-road motorcycles. Yamaha seeks to permanently enjoin defendants from selling the infringing products and treble and punitives damages for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, false designation of origin, false advertising, copyright infringement and unfair competition. Click here for photos comparing the Yamaha and Yamoto products at issue.
Posted by franchiselawblog at November 17, 2005 03:22 PM