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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Vegas Trade Shows Popular for Knockoffs

LAS VEGAS (CN) - On the second day of a trade show this week, a federal judge restrained a Chinese businessman from continuing to violate Wenger's famous Swiss Army Knife trademarks.

Las Vegas trade shows have become popular places for businesses to promote knockoff goods, and numerous lawsuits have been filed about it.

On Wednesday - the second day of a Las Vegas Licensing Expo - Wenger sought and received a restraining order against a Chinese businessman who operates out of Canada and runs several companies that claim to be licensed to sell Wenger products.

Defendant Hunter Li, a Chinese citizen with an Ontario, Canada mailing address, is or claims to be the president or representative of all the alleged companies: Fuzhou Hunter Product Import and Export Co., of China; Swissdigital USA fka Swissgear USA, of Canada; Swissgear SARL, allegedly of Switzerland and/or the Virgin Islands; and Krumholz International fka Swissgear International, of Canada.

Wenger claims that Li and his companies have been pushing watches, backpacks and other products at U.S. trade shows, violates trademark by displaying Wenger logos on his websites, and falsely describes his businesses as Wenger licensees.

Wenger claimed that at one time one of its licensees designated "one of the Fuzhou Hunter entities" as a manufacturer of backpacks and other products, but that relationship ended, and none of his businesses are authorized to use Wenger trademarks now.

Wenger sought revocation of an infringing trademark obtained by Krumholz International, injunctive relief, destruction of infringing products, damages, attorney's fees and costs.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon on Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order and scheduled a preliminary injunction hearing for June 24.

Wenger's attorney Gary Goodheart, with Fennemore Craig, was not immediately available for comment.

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