Jacqueline Criswell, Editor
Innovation Ventures ("IV") began selling its 5 Hour Energy single shots targeted to working adults in 2004 and soon became the market leader, triggering numerous competitors. NVE, Inc. introduced its 6 Hour POWER and POWER Energy shots in 2006. IV sued it for trademark infringement and in 2010 the court granted summary judgment in favor of NVE, finding the mark merely descriptive:
IV appealed and the Sixth Circuit reversed because the lower court’s finding of no likelihood of confusion heavily relied on its ruling that IV’s mark was descriptive. The Court determined it is a suggestive mark entitled to full trademark protection.
Discovery proceeded on remand, resulting in a four week trial on IV’s claim of trademark infringement and NVE’s counterclaim for false advertising. The jury just returned its verdict, awarding IV $10,616,992. as damages caused by NVE’s trademark infringement. It also found that NVE failed to establish its false advertising claim. IV may also seek treble damages and its attorneys’ fees under the Lanham Act.
IV has filed infringement suits against other competitors, including the maker of 6 Hour Energy liquid energy shots, against which it obtained a $1.75 million judgment. Another IV suit which alleged trademark infringement and false advertising against the maker of Mr. Energy 8-Hr. Maximum Strength ENERGY settled this month. IV also sued the maker of 8 Hour Buzz for trademark and trade dress infringement, false advertising and copyright infringement and the parties are awaiting ruling on summary judgment.
Innovation Ventures, LLC v. N.V.E., Inc. (Feb. 26, 2016 E.D. Mich.)
Prior decisions at 747 F.Supp.2d 853 (E.D. Mich. 2010) and 694 F.3d 723 (6th Cir. 2012).
If you have any questions concerning this bulletin or Tressler’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, please contact the editor: Jacqueline Criswell, 312.627.4003 | jcriswell@tresslerllp.com
This newsletter is for general information only and is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon for legal advice in any particular circumstance or fact situation. The reader is advised to consult with an attorney to address any particular circumstance or fact situation. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the author and not necessarily those of Tressler LLP or its clients. This bulletin or some of its content may be considered advertising under the applicable rules of the Supreme Court of Illinois, the courts in New York and those in certain other states. For purposes of compliance with New York State Bar rules, our headquarters are Tressler LLP, 233 S Wacker Drive, 22nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, 312.627.4000. Prior results described herein do not guarantee a similar outcome. The information contained in this newsletter may or may not reflect the most current legal developments. The articles are not updated subsequent to their inclusion in the newsletter when published. | Copyright © 2016
Innovation Ventures ("IV") began selling its 5 Hour Energy single shots targeted to working adults in 2004 and soon became the market leader, triggering numerous competitors. NVE, Inc. introduced its 6 Hour POWER and POWER Energy shots in 2006. IV sued it for trademark infringement and in 2010 the court granted summary judgment in favor of NVE, finding the mark merely descriptive:
IV appealed and the Sixth Circuit reversed because the lower court’s finding of no likelihood of confusion heavily relied on its ruling that IV’s mark was descriptive. The Court determined it is a suggestive mark entitled to full trademark protection.
Discovery proceeded on remand, resulting in a four week trial on IV’s claim of trademark infringement and NVE’s counterclaim for false advertising. The jury just returned its verdict, awarding IV $10,616,992. as damages caused by NVE’s trademark infringement. It also found that NVE failed to establish its false advertising claim. IV may also seek treble damages and its attorneys’ fees under the Lanham Act.
IV has filed infringement suits against other competitors, including the maker of 6 Hour Energy liquid energy shots, against which it obtained a $1.75 million judgment. Another IV suit which alleged trademark infringement and false advertising against the maker of Mr. Energy 8-Hr. Maximum Strength ENERGY settled this month. IV also sued the maker of 8 Hour Buzz for trademark and trade dress infringement, false advertising and copyright infringement and the parties are awaiting ruling on summary judgment.
Innovation Ventures, LLC v. N.V.E., Inc. (Feb. 26, 2016 E.D. Mich.)
Prior decisions at 747 F.Supp.2d 853 (E.D. Mich. 2010) and 694 F.3d 723 (6th Cir. 2012).
If you have any questions concerning this bulletin or Tressler’s Intellectual Property Practice Group, please contact the editor: Jacqueline Criswell, 312.627.4003 | jcriswell@tresslerllp.com
This newsletter is for general information only and is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon for legal advice in any particular circumstance or fact situation. The reader is advised to consult with an attorney to address any particular circumstance or fact situation. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the author and not necessarily those of Tressler LLP or its clients. This bulletin or some of its content may be considered advertising under the applicable rules of the Supreme Court of Illinois, the courts in New York and those in certain other states. For purposes of compliance with New York State Bar rules, our headquarters are Tressler LLP, 233 S Wacker Drive, 22nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, 312.627.4000. Prior results described herein do not guarantee a similar outcome. The information contained in this newsletter may or may not reflect the most current legal developments. The articles are not updated subsequent to their inclusion in the newsletter when published. | Copyright © 2016