Heartbrand Beef, Inc. v. Lobel's of New York, LLC et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against all defendants (Filing fee $ 350 receipt number 05410000000004030327) filed by Heartbrand Beef, Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A - Website of www.akaushisteaks.com operated by Worldwide Media, Inc., # 2 Exhibit B - One of two connections to www.lobels.com, # 3 Exhibit C - One of two connections to www.lobels.com, # 4 Exhibit D - Homepage of www.lobels.com)(Lee, Ted)

Heartbrand Beef, Inc. v. Lobel's of New York, LLC et al

Doc. 1

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS VICTORIA DIVISION HEARTBRAND BEEF, INC. Plaintiff, vs. LOBEL'S OF NEW YORK, LLC & WORLDWIDE MEDIA, INC. Defendants. § § § § § § § § § §

Civil Action No. ______________________

COMPLAINT
I. 1. Parties

Plaintiff, Heartbrand Beef, Inc., is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of

the State of Texas with its corporate headquarters being located at 404 Airport Drive, Yoakum, Texas 77995. 2. Defendant, Lobel's of New York, LLC, is a limited liability company organized and

existing under the laws of the State of New York and may be served at either of the following addresses: Lobel's of New York, LLC 19 The Crossing Purchase, NY 10577 Steve Fraum Lobel's of New York, LLC 774 Jay St. Rochester, NY 14611-1339 3. Defendant, Worldwide Media, Inc., is a corporation organized and existing under the

laws of the State of Florida and may be served through its registered agent at the following address: 1

Dockets.Justia.com

Randolph Wolfe 100 N. Tampa St., Suite 2700 Tampa, FL 33602-2320 II. 4. Jurisdiction and Venue

This is an action for false designation of origin and unfair competition pursuant to § 43(a)

of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a). This Court has jurisdiction under 15 U.S.C. § 1121, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), and 28 U.S.C. § 1338(a). 5. This Court also has jurisdiction of the action under 28 U.S.C. § 1332, as there is diversity

of citizenship between the parties and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.00, exclusive of interest and cost. Venue is proper in this district under 28 U.S.C. § 1391. Through the use of internet, the Defendants have done business in the Western District of Texas. III. 6. Facts

Kyusha is one of the islands of Japan in the Mount Aso Region. Akaushi cattle are raised

on the island of Kyusha. The Akaushi Cattle herds are considered to be a national treasure and are a protected breed by the government of Japan. 7. Akaushi beef made from Akaushi cattle is healthier than other types of beef due to its Akaushi cattle produce meat that has a higher amount of

unique fatty acid composition.

intramuscular fat, commonly known as marbling. As a result, beef from Akaushi cattle is very tender, juicy and flavorful. Many beef experts consider Akaushi beef to be the most palatable, and yet healthy, beef in the world. 8. As a result of the fatty acid composition, Akaushi beef is lower in saturated fats and

cholesterol and higher in nonsaturated fats and conjugated linoleic acid (LCA). LCA is a very beneficial and essential fatty acid for good human nutrition.

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9.

Some studies have even shown LCA to slow the growth of a wide variety of tumors,

including cancer of the skin, breast and prostate. Other research has shown LCA helps control insulin level and reduce diabetes. Still other studies show Akaushi beef helps increase weight loss, lowers cholesterol and reduces bone loss. Most significantly, some studies show that Akaushi beef reduces the risk of heart disease. 10. As a result of some of these studies, plus the flavorful nature of Akaushi beef, Akaushi

beef has become one of the most sought after beef products in the United States. Akaushi beef will sell for as much as ten times the price of ordinary beef. 11. A number of years ago, a predecessor in interest of Plaintiff was able to obtain a limited

number of purebred Akaushi cattle. From that limited number, herds of purebred Akaushi cattle have been grown in the United States, all of which are owned and controlled by the Plaintiff. 12. The Akaushi cattle lineage is very accurately controlled. The ancestory and the lineage

of cattle can be traced back to the Mount Aso Region of Japan and the revered Akaushi herds. 13. As a result of Japan's protection of the revered Akaushi herds as a national treasure, the

only source of Akaushi beef in the United States is from the herds of Plaintiffs. Based upon information and belief, there is no other source of Akaushi beef in the United States. 14. Recently, Defendant Worldwide Media, Inc. started operating a website of

www.akaushisteaks.com, the homepage of which is attached as Exhibit A. The word "Akaushi" appears five times on the homepage (see Exhibit A). If someone clicks on any of the five different uses of the words Akaushi, one of two connections to www.lobels.com is provided (see Exhibit B or C) under the term "Akaushi." If the person then clicks on www.lobels.com, the homepage of Lobel's is connected (see Exhibit D). Lobel's then attempts to switch the person

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accessing their website via www.akaushisteaks.com from Akaushi steaks to some other type of beef or meat product. 15. Based upon information and belief, Defendant Worldwide Media, Inc. is operating a

website of www.akaushisteaks.com and is selling links under the word "Akaushi." Further, based upon information and belief, Defendant Worldwide Media, Inc. has never sold or offered for sale any type of Akaushi beef products, including steaks. 16. Based upon information and belief, Defendant Worldwide Media, Inc. has sold

connecting links under the word "Akaushi" to Defendant Lobel's of New York, LLC, the owner of website www.lobels.com. Based upon information and belief, Lobel's does not sell, and has never sold, Akaushi steaks. 17. The acts of the Defendants complained of hereinabove is a clear attempt to "bait and

switch" a perspective buyer that is looking for an "Akaushi steak" to some other lesser quality beef or other meat product as sold by Lobel's. 18. A person going to the website of www.akaushisteaks.com is normally looking for a

source of Akaushi steaks or beef. Rather than Akaushi steaks (which are only available through Plaintiff), attempt is made to divert the inquirer to www.lobels.com for the purchase of some other beef or meat product of lesser quality. COUNT 1 False Designation of Origin 19. Plaintiff repeats and realleges each and every allegations contained in paragraphs 1-19 as

if fully set forth herein. 20. Defendants conduct complained of hereinabove constitutes use in commerce of words or

terms that are a misleading description of fact, or misleading representation of fact, which:

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a.

is likely to cause confusion or to cause mistake or to deceive as to the affiliation,

connection, or association of Defendants with Plaintiff, or as to the origin, sponsorship or approval of Defendants goods by Plaintiff; or, b. misrepresents the nature, characteristics, qualities or geographic origin of

Defendants goods. 21. Such acts of Defendants are a violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a) and will continue unless

enjoined by this Court. As a result of such acts, Plaintiff has been damaged. 22. Further, such acts will continue unless enjoined by this Court. COUNT 2 Common Law Unfair Competition 23. Plaintiff repeats and realleges every allegation contained in paragraphs 1-22 as if fully set

forth herein. 24. Defendants acts complained of hereinabove constitute common law unfair competition

under the laws of the State of Texas. 25. As a result of such common law unfair competition, Plaintiffs have been damaged. Such

acts of unfair competition will continue unless enjoined by this Court. PRAYER WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests the Court enter judgment: A. declaring that Defendants have engaged in unfair competition under § 43a of the

Lanham Act and have engaged in common law unfair competition of the laws of the State of Texas;

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B.

ordering that Defendants, their officers, directors, agents, servants, employees,

attorneys and other persons in active concert or participation with them, be preliminary and permanently enjoined from: 1. using alone, or in combination with other words the term AKAUSHI, or

any confusingly similar word or words when referring to meat products; 2. causing likelihood of confusion between the products offered for sale by

Defendants and the Akaushi beef products offered for sale by Plaintiff; and, 3. whatsoever. C. ordering that Defendants be required to deliver up and destroy all literature, otherwise engaging in unfair competition, Federal or State, in any matter

advertising, or electronically stored information about any products under the word "Akaushi" or any confusingly similar term; D. ordering that Defendants immediately stop using the word "Akaushi" on their

websites including in their domain name; E. ordering that Defendants be directed to file with this Court and to serve on

Plaintiff within fifteen days after the service of an injunction, a report, in writing under oath, setting forth in detail the manner and form in which they have complied with the injunction; F. G. awarding Plaintiff Defendants' profits; awarding the Plaintiff its damages, which damages should be increased three

times actual damages due to the willful nature of Defendants' conduct; H. I. J. awarding Plaintiff punitive damages; awarding Plaintiff its attorney's fees and costs in this suit; awarding Plaintiff pre and post judgment interest; and,

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K. proper.

granting Plaintiff such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and

Respectfully submitted, GUNN & LEE, P.C. 700 North St. Mary's St., Suite 1500 San Antonio, Texas 78205 [phone] Telephone [phone] Facsimile

By: __/s/ Ted D. Lee___________________ Ted D. Lee State Bar No. 12137700

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