Disposable-lighter manufacturer BIC has filed lawsuits in New York, Georgia and Texas to stop the sale of imitation pocket lighters.
Court-ordered seizures of counterfeit products carrying BIC’s registered trademarks were executed in partnership with law enforcement at Gandhi Wholesale in Georgia and at another large wholesaler in New York in a filing that is still under seal, BIC said Friday.
In addition to the seizure of documents and over 57,000 counterfeit lighters at Gandhi Wholesale, multiple bank accounts were also frozen, the Shelton, Connecticut-based company said. At the New York-based wholesaler, orders for asset seizures included the seizure of over 8,000 additional counterfeit lighters and multiple bank accounts.
Defendants named in additional lawsuits related to counterfeit activity, or other unlawful trade practices in connection with BIC’s registered trademarks include the following four wholesalers: New York companies Lev Trading and G&A Distribution, and Texas companies Mass Discount Merchandizer and United Wholesale. Nearly 100 cease and desist orders have also been issued, BIC said.
“The lawsuits filed this month are not only a testament to BIC’s dedication to maintaining the trust of its customers, but they are also a clear message that BIC will vigorously defend its intellectual property and brand integrity,” Laura Quintano, general counsel for North America at BIC, said. “We are committed to using every resource available under the law to remove these substandard, imitation products from the marketplace.”
In July, the company hired the law firm Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, Atlanta, to help it combat the sale of counterfeit BIC lighters.
“The infringement of BIC’s registered trademarks not only negatively impacts the brand equity and reputation that the BIC has earned in connection with its pocket lighters, but it also allows the companies and individuals charged in these lawsuits to introduce products into the market that are likely to confuse and mislead consumers,” BIC said.
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