TAMPA – An automobile association alleges a Lutz-based website uses its marks to advertise services without its authorization.
The American Automobile Association Inc. filed a complaint on April 18 in the Tampa Division of the Middle District of Florida against Joel Ohman and 360 Quote LLC alleging false advertising, federal trademark infringement, unfair competition and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that it has suffered and will continue to suffer irreparable harm to its reputation, recognition and goodwill unless and until the defendants are restrained from their purportedly unlawful practices. The plaintiff holds Joel Ohman and 360 Quote LLC responsible because the defendants allegedly used the patented AAA marks in connection with their website (carinsurancecomparison.com) without authorization, claimed to offer AAA car insurance quotes online and published false or misleading statements about AAA and the insurance products offered by its member clubs.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks an order restraining the defendants from using any of the AAA marks without its authorization, an order requiring the defendants to destroy all materials that contain the AAA marks, compensation for all damages, costs of this suit and its reasonable attorneys’ fees, prejudgment interest and such other and further relief as the court may deem just and proper. It is represented by Robert D. Zebro and Donald H. Crawford of Cope, Zebro & Crawford PL in Clearwater.
Tampa Division of the Middle District of Florida Case number 8:16-cv-00917