Complaint Fantasies v vs Fantasies
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Transcript of Complaint Fantasies v vs Fantasies
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8/6/2019 Complaint Fantasies v vs Fantasies
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&CASTIGLIONI,LLPOneAtlanticStreetStamford,CT06901(203)358-0800Tel(203)348-2321Fax
UNITEDSTATESDISTRICTCOURTDISTRICTO FCONNECT I CUT
PARFUMSDECOEUR,LTD.,
Plaintiff,
vs.
LIMITEDBRANDS,INC.,
and
VICTORIASSECRETSTORESBRANDMANAGEMENT,INC.,
Defendants.
CaseNo.:
Judge:
COMPLA INT
JURYTR IALDEMANDED
PlaintiffParfumsdeCoeur,Ltd.(Parfums),asandforitscomplaintagainstthe
DefendantsLimitedBrands,Inc.andVictoriasSecretStoresBrandManagement,Inc.(together
VictoriasSecret),allegesthefollowing:
Introduction
1. Thisisanactionseekingpreliminaryandpermanentinjunctiverelief,damages,costs,andattorneysfeesfor:trademarkinfringementandunfaircompetitionundertheLanham
Act;commonlawtrademarkinfringement,falsedesignationoforigin,andunfaircompetition;
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unfairmethodsofcompetitionandunfairordeceptiveactsorpracticesundertheConnecticut
UnfairTradePracticesAct;and,tortiousinterferencewithprospectivebusinessrelations.
2. PlaintiffParfumsdeCoeuristheownerofthefederallyregisteredtrademarksBODYFANTASIES,FRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYandSEXIESTFANTASIES
(collectivelytheParfumsFANTASIESMarks). Parfumshasbeeninthebusinessofselling
personalcareitems,includingfragrances,bodysprays,lotions,andbodywashusingtheBODY
FANTASIES,FRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYandSEXIESTFANTASIESmarksin
InternationalClass03sinceasearlyasDecember1996.
3.
ParfumsBODYFANTASIESandFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYmarks
areincontestable.
4. OnJanuary28,2011,DefendantVictoriasSecretStoresBrandManagementfiledintent-to-useapplicationswiththeU.S.PatentandTrademarkOfficeforthemarks
VICTORIASSECRETFANTASIESandVSFANTASIES(collectivelytheVS
FANTASIESMarks)inInternationalClass03.
5. PlaintifffileditsConsolidatedNoticeofOppositionoftheVSMarkswiththeTrademarkTrialandAppealsBoard(TTAB)onJune7,2011(TTABProceedingNo.
91200158).
6. InJuly2011,despitePlaintiffsmultipleletterstoDefendantsrequestingassurancesthatDefendantswouldnotcommenceuseoftheVSFANTASIESMarksand,ifit
hadcommenceduse,toceaseanddesist,Defendantslaunchedalineoffragrances,bodysprays,
lotions,andbodywash(amongothers)usingtheVSFANTASIESMarksinadvertising,instore
displays,andonitswebsiteathttp://www.victoriassecret.com/sale/vs-fantasies-body-care,and
otherplaces.
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7. ParfumshasbeendamagedbyVictoriasSecretsadoptionofconfusinglysimilarmarks,andhassufferedandwillcontinuetosufferirreparableharmwithoutinjunctiverelief
fromthisCourt,tohaltVictoriasSecretsinfringing,unfair,andtortiousacts.
Parties
8. ParfumsisacorporationdulyorganizedandexistingunderthelawsoftheStateofConnecticut,andhavingitsprincipalplaceofbusinessat85OldKingsHighwayNorth,
Darien,CT06820.
9. Oninformationandbelief,DefendantLimitedBrands,Inc.,isapubliclytradedcorporation(NYSE:LTD)dulyorganizedandexistingunderthelawsoftheStateofDelaware,
andhavingitsprincipalplaceofbusinessatThreeLimitedParkway,Columbus,Ohio42330.
10. Oninformationandbelief,VictoriasSecretStoresBrandManagement,Inc.isacorporationdulyorganizedandexistingunderthelawsoftheStateofDelaware,andhavingits
principalplaceofbusinessatFourLimitedParkway,Reynoldsburg,OH43068.
11. Oninformationandbelief,VictoriasSecretStoresBrandManagement,Inc.isasubsidiaryofLimitedBrands,Inc.
12. VictoriasSecretoperatesretailstoresinConnecticutincludingastorelocatedat1499PostRoad,Fairfield,CT. SeesalesreceiptattachedasExhibitA.
13. VictoriasSecretoperatestheinteractivewebsitehttp://www.victoriassecret.comwhereitsgoodsareadvertisedandavailableforpurchasebyconsumers. Seewebpageprintouts
fromhttp://www.victoriassecret.comattachedasExhibitB.
JurisdictionandVenue
14. Thisactionisfor(1)trademarkinfringementandunfaircompetitionundertheLanhamAct;(2)commonlawtrademarkinfringement,falsedesignationoforigin,andunfair
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competition;(3)unfairmethodsofcompetitionandunfairordeceptiveactsorpracticesunder
theConnecticutUnfairTradePracticesAct(CUTPA);(4)and,tortiousinterferencewith
prospectivebusinessrelations.
15. ThisCourthasjurisdictionpursuantto15U.S.C.1119(powerofcourtoverregistration)and1121(originaljurisdictionoveractionsarisingundertheLanhamAct).
16. VenueisproperinthisDistrictpursuantto28U.S.C.1391(b)and(c)becausetheactscomplainedofhereinhavebeencommittedandarebeingcommittedinthisJudicial
Districtand/orbecauseallDefendantsaresubjecttopersonaljurisdictioninthisJudicialDistrict
oranyoneDefendantmaybefoundhere. ParfumsprincipalplaceofbusinessisinConnecticut
andtheharmasaresultoftheDefendantsactsandconductisoccurringwithinthestateof
Connecticutandthisjudicialdistrict.
FactualBackground
ParfumsdeCoeur,L td .andtheParfums FANTASIESMarks
17. ParfumsdeCoeur,Ltd.isaprivatelyheldcompanywithitsprincipalplaceofbusinessinConnecticut,andhasbeeninoperationsince1981. Parfumsisadominantmarketer
intheUnitedStatesofwomensandmensmassmarketfragrancebrandsunder$10.00retail.
18. TheproductssoldbyParfumsareexclusivelymensfragrance,womensfragrance,bodylotion,bodywash,showergel,andbodysprayandmist.
19. AmongParfumssmostvaluablebrandsareBODYFANTASIESandSEXIESTFANTASIES(collectivelytheFANTASIESBrands). ParfumsFANTASIESBrandsareused,
andregistered,inconnectionwithpersonalcareitems,includingfragrances,bodysprays,
lotions,andbodywash.
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20. ParfumssFANTASIESBrandsarenationallyrecognizedandwidelydistributedinover40,000storesnationwide,aswellasontheParfumswebsites:
http://www.parfumsdecoeur.com,http://www.bodyfantasies.com,and
http://www.fragrancerebel.com. SeewebpageprintoutsattachedasExhibitC.
21. Parfumssproductlineshaveinternationaldistributioninover12,000storesoutsideoftheUnitedStatesincludingtwenty-two(22)countries.
22. TheBODYFANTASIESandSEXIESTFANTASIESbrandshavesoldover250million(250,000,000)unitsgloballyandareamongtheleadingSpecialtyBath/Fragrancebrands
intheworld.
23. AsofthefilingofthisComplaint,Parfumshasinvestedover$60million($60,000,000.00)inconsumermarketingandadvertisingtocreateandmaintainbrandequityfor
itsFANTASIESBrands.
24. ParfumsownsU.S.TrademarkRegistrationNo.2,104,321forthemarkBODYFANTASIES(BODYFANTASIESTrademark),issuedonOctober7,1997,forthefollowing
goodsandservicesinInternationalClass03:women'sfragrances,namely,perfume,cologne,
toiletwater;scentedbodysprays;personaldeodorants;showergels;bodylotions;bodypowders;
andsoaps.Parfumshascontinuouslyuseditsmarkinconnectionwiththesegoodsandservices
atleastasearlyasDecember26,1996. SeeUSPTOTrademarkElectronicSearchSystem
(TESS)printoutforBODYFANTASIESregistrationattachedasExhibitD.
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25. ParfumsownsU.S.TrademarkRegistrationNo.2,246,266forthemarkFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASY(FRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYTrademark),issuedon
May18,1999,forthefollowinggoodsandservicesinInternationalClass03:women's
fragrances,namely,perfume,cologne,toiletwater;scentedbodysprays;personaldeodorants;
showergels;bodylotions;bodypowders;andsoaps.Parfumshascontinuouslyuseditsmarkin
connectionwiththesegoodsandservicesatleastasearlyasJanuary5,1998. SeeUSPTOTESS
printoutforFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYregistrationattachedasExhibitE.
26. ParfumsownsU.S.TrademarkRegistrationNo.3,811,520forthemarkSEXIESTFANTASIES(SEXIESTFANTASIESTrademark),issuedonJune29,2010,for
thefollowinggoodsandservicesinInternationalClass03:women'sandmen'sfragrances,
namely,perfume,cologne,eaudetoilette,aftershave,scentedbodyspraysandpersonal
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30. AccordingtotheLimitedBrandswebsite,thecompanyoperatesmorethan2,600specialtystoresintheUnitedStates,anditsbrandsaresoldinmorethan800company-owned
andfranchisedadditionallocationsworldwide. SeeprintoutsofLimitedBrandswebsite
attachedasExhibitG.
31. Oninformationandbelief,thepersonalcareandbeautyproductssoldbyVictoriasSecretincludeswomensfragrances,specifically,perfume,cologne,eaudetoilette,
scentedbodysprays,bodymists,andpersonaldeodorants;showergels;bodylotions;body
powders;andsoaps,amongothers.
32.
VictoriasSecretsellspersonalcareandbeautyproducts,amongothers,
domesticallythroughitsVictoriasSecretretailstoreslocatedthroughouttheUnitedStatesand
theVictoriasSecretwebsiteaswellasinternationallythroughvariousdistributors,franchised
locations,retailoutletsanditswebsite.
33. VictoriasSecretcompeteswithParfumstomarketandsellwomensfragrances,showergels,bodylotions,bodypowders,andsoaps,amongotherproducts,toconsumersinthe
domesticandinternationalmarkets.
34. DefendantVictoriasSecretStoresBrandManagementfiledanintent-to-useapplicationwiththeU.S.PatentandTrademarkOfficeonJanuary28,2011forthemark
VICTORIASSECRETFANTASIES,serialnumber85,228,512(512Application),in
InternationalClass03forthefollowinggoodsandservices: Bodybutter;Bodycreams;Body
lotions;Bodypowder;Bodysprays;Bodywash;Eaudeparfum;Eaudetoilette;Non-medicated
skincarepreparation,namely,bodymist. TheVICTORIASSECRETFANTASIESmarkwas
publishedforoppositiononApril12,2011. SeeUSPTOTESSprintoutforthe512Application
attachedasExhibitH.
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35. TheU.S.PatentandTrademarkOfficehasyettoallowregistrationofthe512Application.
36. Oninformationandbelief,todate,VictoriasSecrethasneverallegeduseoftheVICTORIASSECRETFANTASIESmarkatthePTOinconnectionwithgoodsandservices
recitedinthe512Application.
37. DefendantVictoriasSecretStoresBrandManagementfiledanintent-to-useapplicationwiththeU.S.PatentandTrademarkOfficeonJanuary28,2011forthemarkVS
FANTASIES,serialnumber85,228,516(516Application),inInternationalClass03forthe
followinggoodsandservices:Bodybutter;Bodycreams;Bodylotions;Bodypowder;Body
sprays;Bodywash;Eaudeparfum;Eaudetoilette;Non-medicatedskincarepreparation,
namely,bodymist. TheVSFANTASIESmarkwaspublishedforoppositiononApril26,2011.
SeeUSPTOTESSprintoutforthe516ApplicationattachedasExhibitI.
38. TheU.S.PatentandTrademarkOfficehasyettoallowregistrationofthe516Application.
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39. Oninformationandbelief,todate,VictoriasSecrethasneverallegeduseoftheVSFANTASIESmarkatthePTOinconnectionwithgoodsandservicesrecitedinthe516
Application.
40. OnMay10,2011ParfumsinformedDefendantsbycertifiedmailandfaxofParfumsfederalstatutoryandcommonlawtrademarkrightsintheParfumsFANTASIES
MarksanditsintenttoopposetheVSFANTASIESMarksshouldDefendantsfailtoabandonthe
applicationsandceaseanddesistfurtheruseoftheconfusinglysimilarmarks. SeeMay10,2011
letterattachedasExhibitJ.
41.
OnMay25,2011VictoriasSecretacknowledgedParfumsdemandletterbut
refusedtoabandonthe512and516Applications.
42. ParfumsBODYFANTASIESTrademarkandFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASIESTrademark,firstusedbyParfumsasearlyas1996,andforwhichfederal
trademarkregistrationshadissuedin1997and1999,respectively,areseniortoanyuse
VictoriasSecretcouldclaiminanyFANTASIESmark,includingthosethatarethesubjectof
the512and516Applications.
Victoria sSec ret sSubsequentBehavior
43. DespiteDefendantsnoticeofPlaintiffsoppositiontoVictoriasSecretsuseoftheVSFANTASIESMarks,onoraboutJuly19,2011VictoriasSecretlauncheditsVS
FANTASIESbodycareandfragrancelineofproducts(VSFANTASIESline).
44. ThelaunchoftheVSFANTASIESlineincludedaneventfeaturingfashionmodelsposingwithandusingtheproductinthepresenceofmembersofthemedia. Theevent
tookplaceinandaroundtheVictoriasSecretretailstoreatTheGrove,amajorshoppingand
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entertainmentcomplex,inLosAngeles,CA. SeeExhibitKforexamplesofVSFANTASIES
linelaunchmediacoverage.
45. ThelaunchoftheVSFANTASIESlinehasalsobeenpromotedontheVictoriasSecretwebsite:http://www.victoriassecret.com/beauty/vs-fantasies. SeeExhibitB.
46. Uponinformationandbelief,theVSFANTASIESlineisbeingsoldontheVictoriasSecretwebsite:http://www.victoriassecret.com/beauty/vs-fantasies. SeeExhibitB.
47. OnJuly21,2011,privateinvestigatorengagedbyParfumsenteredtheVictoriasSecretretailstorelocatedat1499PostRoad,Fairfield,CTandobservedVictoriasSecretsuse
oftheVSFANTASIESMarksinconnectionwithvariousproductsofferedforsale. See
photographsofVSFANTASIESMarksusedinFairfieldstoreattachedasExhibitL.
48. ParfumsprivateinvestigatorobservedusebyVictoriasSecretoftheVSFANTASIESMarksonin-storeadvertisingforvariousproductsofferedforsaleincluding
womensfragrances,bodylotion,bodywash,bodymistandrelatedproducts. SeeExhibitL.
49. ParfumsprivateinvestigatorpurchasedthefollowingproductsfromtheFairfield,CTVictoriasSecretretailstore,allofwhichwereadvertisedforsaleinconnectionwiththeVS
FANTASIESMarks:
VSFANTASIESVanillaLaceFragranceMist;
VSFANTASIESLoveSpellFragranceMist;
VSFANTASIESAmberRomanceFragranceMist;
VSFANTASIESStrawberries&ChampagneFragranceMist;and
VSFANTASIESPureSeductionFragranceMist.
SeeExhibitMforphotographsofpurchasedproducts;and,ExhibitAforreceiptofpurchase.
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06460-3381onJuly27,2011. SeeshippingconfirmationforUPStrackingnumber
1Z1824640399502812attachedasExhibitR;UPSshipmenttrackingwebpagefortracking
number1Z1824640399502812asExhibitS;UPSproofofdeliverywebpagefortracking
number1Z1824640399502812asExhibitT;exchangeformindicatingfulfillmentoforderby
VictoriasSecretattachedasExhibitU.
55. VictoriasSecretwasawareofParfumsandtheParfumsFANTASIESMarkswhenitlauncheditsVSFANTASIESline. SeeExhibitJ.
56. ParfumshaspriorityoverVictoriasSecretinitsuseoftheParfumsFANTASIESMarksforthegoodsandservicesadvertisedforsalebyVictoriasSecretunderits
VSFANTASIESMarks.
57. ParfumshaspriorityoverVictoriasSecretinitsuseoftheParfumsFANTASIESMarksforthegoodsandservicesadvertisedforsalebyVictoriasSecretunderits
VICTORIASSECRETFANTASIESmark.
58. TheVSFANTASIESMarksandtheParfumsFANTASIESMarksaresimilarinsoundandthedominantfeatureofeachmarkisthewordFANTASIES.
59. VSFANTASIESMarksandtheParfumsFANTASIESMarksinvokesimilarimageryandaresimilarlysuggestiveofsensuality,dreams,anddesire.
60. TheVSFANTASIESlineandthegoodssoldunderParfumsFANTASIESBrandsaresubstantiallysimilar. Bothofferfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,and
bodywashdesignedforwomen.
61. VictoriasSecretsVSFANTASIESlineandthegoodssoldundertheParfumsFANTASIESBrandsareofferedthroughsubstantiallysimilarchannelsoftrade,namelytheir
respectivewebsites,http://www.victoriassecret.com(ExhibitB)and
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http://www.parfumsdecoeur.com(ExhibitC),http://www.fragrancerebel.com/,aswellasbricks
andmortarretailoutletsthroughouttheUnitedStatesandinternationally. Botharealsosold
throughtheAmazon.commarketplace.
62. VictoriasSecretVSFANTASIESlineandthegoodssoldundertheParfumsFANTASIESBrandsaretargetedatsimilarprospectivecustomers,namelyconsumersseeking
fragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,andbodywashdesignedspecificallyforwomen.
Fi rstClaimforReliefTrademarkInfringement,FalseDesignationofOrigin,andUnfairCompetitioninviolation
oftheLanhamAct15U .S.C .1114,1125(a)
63.
PlaintiffParfumsdeCoeur,Ltd.restatesandincorporatesbyreferenceeachand
everyallegationoftheparagraphsaboveasiffullystatedherein.
64. ParfumsBODYFANTASIESisavalidanddistinctivefederallyregisteredtrademarkforwomensfragrances,namely,perfume,cologne,toiletwater;scentedbodysprays;
personaldeodorants;showergels;bodylotions;bodypowders;andsoaps. TheBODY
FANTASIESTrademarkisincontestibleandentitledtoprotectionundertheLanhamAct. See
ExhibitD.
65. ParfumssFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYTrademarkisavalidanddistinctivefederallyregisteredtrademarkforwomensfragrances,namely,perfume,cologne,
toiletwater;scentedbodysprays;personaldeodorants;showergels;bodylotions;bodypowders;
andsoaps. TheFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYTrademarkisincontestibleandentitledto
protectionundertheLanhamAct. SeeExhibitE.
66. ParfumssSEXIESTFANTASIESTrademarkisavalidanddistinctfederallyregisteredtrademarkforwomensandmensfragrances,namely,perfume,cologne,eaude
toilette,aftershave,scentedbodyspraysandpersonaldeodorants;showergels;bodylotions;
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bodypowders;soaps. TheSEXIESTFANTASIESTrademarkisentitledtoprotectionunderthe
LanhamAct. SeeExhibitF.
67. Parfumsisarecognizedproviderofwomensfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,andbodywashundertheBODYFANTASIESTrademark,havingusedtheBODY
FANTASIESTrademarkinconnectionwiththesegoodsandservicessinceatleastasearlyas
December26,1996. SeeExhibitD.
68. Parfumsisarecognizedproviderofwomensfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,andbodywashundertheFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYTrademark,having
usedtheFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYTrademarkinconnectionwiththesegoodsand
servicesatleastasearlyasJanuary5,1998. SeeExhibitE.
69. Parfumsisarecognizedproviderofwomensfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,andbodywashundertheSEXIESTFANTASIESTrademark,havingusedthe
SEXIESTFANTASIESTrademarkinconnectionwiththesegoodsandservicesatleastasearly
asJanuary2009. SeeExhibitF.
70. TheVSFANTASIESMarksareconfusinglysimilartoParfumsFANTASIESMarks.
71. VictoriasSecretcommenceduseofitsconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarksinconnectionwiththesaleofwomensfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,and
bodywash,onoraboutJuly19,2011. SeeExhibitK.
72. ParfumsFANTASIESMarkshavebeenusedincommerceearlierthaneitherofVictoriasSecretsapplicationstoregisteroractualuseoftheconfusinglysimilarVS
FANTASIESMarksinconnectionwithsubstantiallysimilargoodsandservices.
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73. ParfumsthereforehaspriorityoverVictoriasSecretinitsuseoftheParfumsFANTASIESMarksforthegoodsandservicesadvertised,soldandofferedforsalebyVictorias
SecretunderitsVSFANTASIESMarks.
74. VictoriasSecrethadactualnoticeoftheParfumsFANTASIESMarksasaresultofcorrespondencewithParfumscounselatleasttwomonthspriortoVictoriasSecret
launchingsimilargoodsundertheconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarks. SeeExhibitJ.
75. ParfumsdidnotconsentdirectlyorindirectlytoVictoriasSecretsuseoftheconfusinglysimilarmarksVICTORIASSECRETFANTASIESandVSFANTASIES. See
ExhibitJ.
76. VictoriasSecretsunauthorizedandwillfuluseofmarksconfusinglysimilartoParfumsFANTASIESMarksconstituteauseincommercethatinfringesParfumsexclusive
rightsinitsfederallyregisteredParfumsFANTASIESMarks,andislikelytocauseconfusion,
mistakeordeceptionastothesourceofthegoodsandservicesoffered.
77. ParfumshasbeeninjuredinitsbusinessandpropertybyreasonoftheforegoingLanhamActviolationsinanamounttobedeterminedattrial.
78. Moreover,ParfumsiscurrentlysufferingirreparableinjuryasaresultofVictoriasSecretscontinueduseofitsconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarksin
connectionwithitscompetingpersonalcareproducts,includingfragrances,bodysprays,lotions,
andbodywash. VictoriasSecretsinfringement,falsedesignationoforigin,andunfair
competitionhas,andwillcontinuetocauseParfumsirreparableinjuryunlessrestrainedbythis
Court.
79. ParfumsremedyatlawisinadequatetocompensateforthedamagecurrentlybeinginflictedbyVictoriasSecretsuseoftheconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarks,and
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thereforeParfumsalsorequeststhatVictoriasSecretsuseoftheVSFANTASIESMarksin
connectionwiththepromotionandsaleofcompetinggoodsbepreliminarilyandpermanently
enjoined.
SecondClaimforRe liefCommonLawTrademarkInfringement ,FalseDesignationofOrigin,andUnfair
Competition
80. PlaintiffParfumsdeCoeur,Ltd.restatesandincorporatesbyreferenceeachandeveryallegationoftheparagraphsaboveasiffullystatedherein.
81. ParfumsownsprotectablecommonlawtrademarkrightsinitsdistinctandvaluableParfumsFANTASIESMarks. SeeExhibitsD-F.
82. Parfumsusesitstrademarksincommerceandinconjunctionwithitslegitimatebusinessoperations,includingtheFANTASIESBrandsgoodsandservices. SeeExhibitC.
83. Parfumsisarecognizedproviderofwomensfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,andbodywashundertheBODYFANTASIESTrademark,havingusedtheBODY
FANTASIESTrademarkinconnectionwiththesegoodsandservicessinceatleastasearlyas
December26,1996. SeeExhibitD.
84. Parfumsisarecognizedproviderofwomensfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,andbodywashundertheFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYTrademark,having
usedtheFRESHWHITEMUSKFANTASYTrademarkinconnectionwiththesegoodsand
servicesatleastasearlyasJanuary5,1998. SeeExhibitE.
85. Parfumsisarecognizedproviderofwomensfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,andbodywashundertheSEXIESTFANTASIESTrademark,havingusedthe
SEXIESTFANTASIESTrademarkinconnectionwiththesegoodsandservicesatleastasearly
asJanuary2009. SeeExhibitF.
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86. TheVSFANTASIESMarksareconfusinglysimilartoParfumsFANTASIESMarks.
87. VictoriasSecretcommenceduseofitsconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarksinconnectionwiththesaleofwomensfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,and
bodywash,nearlyidenticalgoodstotheParfumsgoods,onoraboutJuly19,2011. SeeExhibit
K.
88. ParfumsFANTASIESMarkshavebeenusedincommerceearlierthanVictoriasSecretsuseoftheconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarksinconnectionwithsubstantially
similargoodsandservices.
89. ParfumsthereforehaspriorityoverVictoriasSecretinitsuseoftheParfumsFANTASIESMarksforthegoodsandservicesadvertised,soldandofferedforsalebyVictorias
SecretunderitsVSFANTASIESMarks.
90. VictoriasSecrethadactualnoticeoftheParfumsFANTASIESMarksasaresultofcorrespondencewithParfumscounselatleasttwomonthspriortoVictoriasSecret
launchingsimilargoodsundertheconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarks. SeeExhibitJ.
91. VictoriasSecretsunlawfulconductislikelytocreateconfusionconcerningtheoriginofgoodsorservicesofferedoradvertised,andconstitutestrademarkinfringement,unfair
competition,andfalsedesignationoforigininviolationofParfumstrademarkrightsatcommon
law.
92. VictoriasSecretscommonlawtrademarkviolationshavecausedandcontinuetocauseharmtoParfumsby,amongotherthings,causingParfumstolosecontrolofitsbusiness
reputation,causingconfusion,divertingcustomers,sales,andotherwisecausingsignificant
commercialloss.
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93. AsaresultofVictoriasSecretsactions,Parfumshassuffered,andwillcontinuetosuffer,irreparableharmandParfumshasnoadequateremedyatlaw.
94. VictoriasSecretsviolationsoflawhavedamagedParfumsinanamounttobedeterminedattrial.
95. ParfumsrequeststhatVictoriasSecretsuseoftheconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarksbepreliminarilyandpermanentlyenjoined.
ThirdClaimforRe liefUnfairTradePractices
(Conn.Gen.Stat.42-110etseq.)(CUTPA)
96. PlaintiffParfumsdeCoeur,Ltd.restatesandincorporatesbyreferenceeachandeveryallegationoftheparagraphsaboveasiffullystatedherein.
97. VictoriasSecretsactionsconstituteunfairmethodsofcompetitionandunfairordeceptiveactsorpractices.
98. VictoriasSecretsactionsarecontinuingandhavecauseandwillcontinuetocauseinjuryanddamagetoParfumsanditscustomers,inviolationofConn.Gen.State.42-
110etseq.
99. AsaresultofVictoriasSecretsactions,Parfumshassuffered,andwillcontinuetosuffer,irreparableharmandParfumshasnoadequateremedyatlaw.
100. VictoriasSecretsviolationsoflawhavedamagedParfumsinanamounttobedeterminedattrial.
FourthClaimforReliefInterferencewithProspecti veBusinessRe lations
101. PlaintiffParfumsdeCoeur,Ltd.restatesandincorporatesbyreferenceeachandeveryallegationoftheparagraphsaboveasiffullystatedherein.
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102. Parfumshasprospectivebusinessrelationswithconsumersseekingfragrances,bodysprays,scentedbodylotions,andbodywashdesignedspecificallyforwomen,amarketin
whichithasestablisheditselfsince1981.
103. VictoriasSecretknewoftheseprospectivebusinessrelationsasaresultofcorrespondencewithParfumsscounselatleasttwomonthspriortoVictoriasSecretlaunching
similargoodsundertheconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarks. SeeExhibitJ.
104. VictoriasSecretsintentionalcommissionofthewrongfulactoftrademarkinfringementandunfaircompetitionwithoutjustificationconstitutesmaliciousinterferencewith
Parfumsprospectivebusinessrelations.
105. ParfumsisincurringactualdamagesasadirectresultofVictoriasSecretswrongfulacts.
106. AsaresultofVictoriasSecretsconduct,Parfumshasbeen,andabsentinjunctiverelief,willcontinuetobe,irreparablyharmed.
107. Parfumshasnoadequateremedyatlawfortheforegoingwrongfulconduct.108. VictoriasSecretsintentionalinterferencewithprospectivebusinessrelationshas
damagedParfumsinanamounttobedeterminedattrial.
109. ParfumsfurtherrequeststhatVictoriasSecretsintentionalandwrongfuluseoftheconfusinglysimilarVSFANTASIESMarksbepreliminarilyandpermanentlyenjoined.
PrayerforRelief
Wherefore,plaintiffParfumsdeCoeur,Ltd.,requestsjudgmentinitsfavoragainst
Defendantsasfollows:
a. Thatpursuantto15U.S.C.1116andtheequityjurisdictionofthiscourt,VictoriasSecretanditsofficers,agents,employees,representatives,andallpersonsinprivity
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RespectfullySubmitted,
By: /s/MatthewC.Wagner
MatthewC.Wagner(ct25926)
DISERIOMARTINOCONNOR&CASTIGLIONI,LLPOneAtlanticStreetStamford,CT06901Telephone:(203)358-0800Facsimile:(203)348-2321
AttorneysforPlaintiff
Dated:August11,2011
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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]