$6 million Trademark Infringement Win for Chicago IP Firm against Internet Retailer
The General Council of the Assemblies of God (“Assemblies of God”), a Pentecostal Christian denomination based in Springfield, Missouri, sued the proprietors of The Ranger Supply Store for trademark infringement stemming from the online retail sale of counterfeit emblem patches, t-shirts and other items bearing proprietary trademarks. Assemblies of God also accused the defendants of unauthorized use of Internet domain names that mirror some of its ministry groups, such as “Royal Rangers,” “Mpact” and “Frontiersman Camping Fellowship.”
Securing an award of damages in excess of $6M for willful infringement of trademarks and copyrights owned by Assemblies of God, the Marshall, Gerstein & Borun team of attorneys proved and established willful infringement and the sale of counterfeit goods. The team, including Gregory J. Chinlund, Julianne M. Hartzell and Tiffany D. Gehrke, also convinced the Judge that the behavior was egregious, because the Judge granted damages in excess of the minimum statutory damages and the entire amount requested for attorneys' fees.
The Judge has ordered that all infringing materials be seized and destroyed, as well as forfeiture or cancellation of infringing domain names.