MIAMI — A water pipe manufacturer has filed suit against a tobacco shop for allegedly selling counterfeit products bearing its trademark.
Sream Inc. filed a complaint Sept. 14 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Pipe Dreams Tobacco Shop LLC, alleging that the retail shop violated the Lanham Act by selling counterfeit products.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that in Aug 2013, Sream Inc. has been the exclusive licensee of the RooR Mark in the United States. The plaintiff has consent to advertise, market and distribute the luxury water pipes and parts from the German brand it claims, including being granted enforcement rights to sue anyone who infringes on the mark. However, the plaintiff found out that the defendant was allegedly selling counterfeit items bearing the RooR trademark, which forced the plaintiff to retain counsel to recover damages and injury to its reputation and goodwill brought about by the acts of the defendant.
The plaintiff holds Pipe Dreams Tobacco Shop LLC responsible because the defendant allegedly passed off counterfeits as authorized products from RooR, sold products with confusingly similar RooR marks and obtained profit at the expense of plaintiff.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment against the defendant, damages, injunctive relief, attorney's fees and costs, and any further relief the court deems just. It is represented by Jamie Alan Sasson of The Ticktin Law Group PLLC in Deerfield Beach.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida case number 1:16-cv-23938