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

Filing 22

ANSWER to 3 Amended Complaint/Counterclaim/Crossclaim etc., by Thought Convergence, Inc., filed.(Yuhas, George)

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

Doc. 2

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS VICTORIA DIVISION HEARTBRAND BEEF, INC. Plaint iff, vs. § § § Civil Action No. 6:08-cv-00062

LOBEL'S OF NEW YORK, LLC, § WORLDWIDE MEDIA, INC., THOUGHT CONVERGENCE, INC. and YAHOO! Inc. § Defendants. § § ANSWER Defendant Thought Convergence, Inc. ("Thought Convergence") responds as follows to the Amended Complaint filed by plaintiff Heartbrand Beef, Inc. ("Heartbrand"): PARTIES 1. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 1 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 2. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 2 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 3. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 3 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 4. 5. Thought Convergence admits the allegations of Paragraph 4. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 5 and, on that basis, denies said allegations.

OHS West:260525670.1

Dockets.Justia.com

JURISDICTION AND VENUE 6. 7. Thought Convergence admits the allegations of Paragraph 6.. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 7 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. FACTS COMMON TO ALL COUNTS 8. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 8 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 9. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 9 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 10. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 10 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 11. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 11 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 12. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 12 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 13. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 13 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 14. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 14 and, on that basis, denies said allegations.
OHS West:260525670.1

-2-

15.

Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 15 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 16. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 16 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 17. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 7 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 18. 19. Thought Convergence admits the allegations of Paragraph 18. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 19, and on that basis, denies said allegations. 20. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 20, and on that basis, denies said allegations. 21. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 21, and on that basis, denies said allegations. 22. Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 22, and on that basis, denies said allegations. 23. Thought Convergence denies the allegation that its acts constitute a

clear attempt to "bait and switch" a prospective buyer of Akaushi steaks to some other, lesser quality beef or other meat product sold by Lobel's. Except as so denied, Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 23 and, on that basis, denies said allegations.
OHS West:260525670.1

-3-

24.

Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 24 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. COUNT I False Designation of Origin 25. Thought Convergence repeats and incorporates by reference its

responses to the allegations in Paragraph 1 through 19 of the Complaint as though fully set forth herein. 26. 27. Thought Convergence denies the allegations of Paragraph 26. Thought Convergence denies that its acts are in violation of 15 U.S.C. §

1125(a) will continue unless enjoined by this Court. Except as so denied, Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 27 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 28. Thought Convergence denies that its acts are in violation of 15 U.S.C. §

1125(a) will continue unless enjoined by this Court. Except as so denied, Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 28 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. COUNT II Common Law Unfair Competition 29. Thought Convergence repeats and incorporates by reference its

responses to the allegations in Paragraph 1 through 22 of the Complaint as though fully set forth herein. 30. Thought Convergence denies its complained-o f acts constitute common

law unfair competition under the laws of the State of Texas. Except as so denied, Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 30 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. 31.
OHS West:260525670.1

Thought Convergence is without knowledge or information sufficient to -4-

form a belief as to the truth of the allegations of Paragraph 31 and, on that basis, denies said allegations. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES First Affirmative Defense 1. Plaint iff has failed to set forth, or sufficiently allege, a claim upon

which relief can be granted in Count I of its Complaint. Second Affirmative Defense 2. Plaint iff has failed to set forth, or sufficiently allege, a claim upon

which relief can be granted in Count II of its Complaint. Third Affirmative Defense 3. The term "Akaushi" is a descriptive term that has not acquired any

distinctiveness or secondary meaning and, therefore, is not a term in which Plaintiffs can claim exclusive property rights. Fourth Affirmative Defense 4. Thought Convergence's use of the term "Akaushi" constitutes fair use.

WHEREFORE, Thought Convergence prays as follows: a. That Plaintiff take nothing on its claims and judgment be entered in

favor of Thought Convergence thereon; b. c. is just and proper. Dated: October 6, 2008 GEORGE A. YUHAS ORRICK, HERRINGTON & SUTCLIFFE LLP That Thought Convergence be awarded its costs; and That Thought Convergence be awarded such other and further relief as

/s/ George A. Yuhas GEORGE A. YUHAS Attorneys for Defendant Thought Convergence, Inc.
OHS West:260525670.1

-5-