Singer Buffett sues alleged trademark infringer
November 14, 2006
Singer Jimmy Buffett filed suit on Monday asking a U.S. federal judge to stop a website operator from infringing Buffett's trademarks.
The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Galveston, Texas, accused Robert Akard of operating a website, underonehut.com, that sells Buffett-trademarked items without permission.
"This guy, who Buffett and his people have chased all over the country, apparently has set up shop in Texas," said Buffett's lawyer, Tony Buzbee.
Buffett won a previous court order in Nevada, but it "wasn't comprehensive enough," and Akard has since surfaced in New York, Florida and Texas, Buzbee said.
Buffett complains that Akard advertises as "Jimmy Buffett's Online Store for Merchandise," and sells T-shirts, music CDs and other items that Buffett sells himself.
Buffett is asking a judge to order Akard to stop using the singer's name and likeness, account for his profits, turn them over to Buffett and pay unspecified damages.
Efforts to reach Akard were unsuccessful.
Author: Gleaner Reporter
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
