BENTON — A national fraternal organization is suing distributors of farm products, alleging trademark infringement.
The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry filed a complaint on Oct. 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Michael and Ingrid Thomas, doing business as Hadleigh Grange, alleging that they violated the Federal Trademark Act.
The plaintiff alleges that it has been the owner of multiple famous and federally registered grange trademarks for over 150 years. The plaintiff claims the defendants continue to use the Hadleigh Grange name and mark despite being put on notice of the plaintiff's exclusive rights. As a result, The National Grange has been harmed and damaged for losing its ability to identify and distinguish its own goods and services.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks permanent injunction enjoining the defendants from using the plaintiff's registered trademark and an order requiring the defendants to account for and pay to all profits arising from their illegal acts. The plaintiff also seeks attorney's fees, costs and any further relief as the court may deem appropriate.
It is represented by Richard B. Biagi of Neal & McDevitt, LLC in Northfield and James L. Bikoff, Holly B. Lance and Darlene K. Tzou of Smith, Gambrell, & Russell, LLP in Washington.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:18-cv-02027-SMY-RJD