Williams-Sonoma Hit with Trademark Suit Over I-Grill

Williams-Sonoma is being sued over the trademark ‘I-Grill’ but not by the company you would assume. Williams-Sonoma is being sued by a company named iDevices LLC, not the software giant, Apple. While on second thought, it makes sense that Apple would not be in the business of making portable grills, Apple has historically been aggressive in enforcing and opposing ‘i’-formative marks, although it usually relates to software. A quick search for oppositions filed by Apple with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board regarding ‘i’-formative marks returns over ten pages of search results. In its complaint, iDevices claims that Williams-Sonoma’s portable grill “IGRILL” infringes on its own “IGRILL” trademark used for Bluetooth-enabled meat thermometers. iDevices is seeking an injunction against Williams-Sonoma and unspecified damages. iDevices also asserts claims of state and federal unfair competition claims, trademark infringement, and unjust enrichment. iDevices claims use of the ‘IGRILL’ trademark starting from as early as 2009 and believes that the similarity in the goods of services between the two companies is likely to cause consumer confusion.

For further information on the case, the iDevices LLC v. Williams Sonoma Inc., case number 3:14-cv-00759, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.

Sources: http://www.law360.com/articles/541944/williams-sonoma-hit-with-trademark-suit-over-i-grill http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/v?qt=adv&procstatus=All&pno=&propno=&qs=&propnameop=beg&propname=i&pop=&pn=Apple%2C+Inc.+&pop2=&pn2=&cop=&cn=

For more information on this topic, please visit our trademark protection service page.

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