Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 38

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 1 of 38 Page ID #:1

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Robert Barnes (State Bar No. 119515)


robert.barnes@kayescholer.com
KAYE SCHOLER LLP
1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600
Los Angeles, California 90067-6048
Telephone: (310) 788-1000
Facsimile: (310) 788-1200
Attorneys for Plaintiffs The Hershey
Company and Hershey Chocolate &
Confectionery Corporation
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

9
10
11
12
13

16

Complaint for:
(1) Trademark Infringement

Plaintiffs,

14
15

Case No. 2:15-cv-00734

THE HERSHEY COMPANY and


HERSHEY CHOCOLATE &
CONFECTIONERY CORPORATION,

(2) Trademark Dilution

v.

(3) Unfair Competition

LBB IMPORTS, LLC,

17

(4) Breach of Contract


Demand for Jury Trial

Defendant.

18
19

Plaintiffs The Hershey Company (Hershey Company) and Hershey

20

Chocolate & Confectionery Corporation (Hershey Chocolate) (together,

21

Hershey), for their complaint against defendant LBB Imports, LLC (LBB) for

22

trademark and trade dress infringement, trademark and trade dress dilution, false

23

designation of origin, unfair competition and breach of contract, plead and allege as

24

follows:

25

1.

LBB imports candy products that are manufactured outside of the

26

United States, including TOFFEE CRISP, YORKIE, MALTESERS, CADBURY,

27

KIT KAT and ROLO chocolate, candy and confectionery products (collectively, the

28

Infringing Products). By selling these products in the United States, LBB violates
1
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 2 of 38 Page ID #:2

trademark rights that are owned or licensed by Hershey. In particular, the imported

TOFFEE CRISP product sold by LBB closely resembles the well-known REESES

trade dress that is protected by a number of federal trademark registrations: among

other things, both have the same orange background color, and both feature a slanted

yellow font with brown outlining. In addition, the Infringing Products sold by LBB

violate Hersheys rights in the United States in the YORK, MALTESER,

CADBURY, KIT KAT and ROLO trademarks. What is more, defendant continues

to import and sell the Infringing Products, despite previously admitting that its

actions infringed Hersheys trademark rights and repeatedly agreeing to stop its

10

infringing conduct. Hershey brings this suit to prevent LBB from continuing to

11

breach its agreements and to violate Hersheys acknowledged trademark rights.


NATURE AND BASIS OF THE ACTION

12
13

2.

This action is brought by Hershey against LBB under the Lanham Act,

14

15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq., and state law, seeking preliminary and permanent

15

injunctive relief, disgorgement of profits, compensatory damages, punitive damages

16

and other relief relating to defendants importation, distribution and sale of products

17

that infringe and dilute certain well-known trademarks owned or licensed by

18

Hershey, namely, the REESES trade dress, the YORK trademark, the MALTESER

19

trademark, the CADBURY trademark and trade dress and the KIT KAT trademark

20

and trade dress, and the ROLO trademark and trade dress, (collectively, the

21

Hershey Marks).

22

3.

Hershey is a leading manufacturer of chocolate and confectionery

23

products in the United States and worldwide. For many years, Hershey has

24

manufactured and sold REESES, YORK, MALTESER, CADBURY, KIT KAT and

25

ROLO branded candies and confections, among other products.

26

4.

As set forth more fully below, Hershey owns or licenses the exclusive

27

rights to use the Hershey Marks in connection with various chocolate and

28

confectionery products in the United States. Notwithstanding those exclusive rights,


2
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 3 of 38 Page ID #:3

defendant imports into the United States, offers for sale, and sells within the United

States the Infringing Products, none of which are made or authorized by Hershey:
TOFFEE CRISP brand confectionery products in a trade dress that

infringes and dilutes the famous REESES trade dress;

YORKIE brand confections that infringe and dilute the famous YORK

5
6

trademark;
MALTESERS brand confections that infringe Hersheys MALTESER

7
8

trademark;
CADBURY brand chocolate products that infringe the famous

9
10

CADBURY trademark and trade dress;


KIT KAT brand confections that infringe the famous KIT KAT

11
12

trademark and trade dress; and


ROLO brand confections that infringe and dilute the famous ROLO

13
14
15

trademark and trade dress.


5.

On information and belief, defendant offers its Infringing Products for

16

sale to customers throughout the United States through its offices in California, New

17

Jersey and New York. On information and belief, defendant also advertises and

18

sells the Infringing Products through its website (www.lbbimports.com).

19

6.

Unless such acts of trademark and trade dress infringement, trademark

20

and trade dress dilution, false designation of origin, unfair competition and breach of

21

contract are enjoined, Hershey will suffer irreparable injury for which there is no

22

adequate remedy at law.


PARTIES

23
24

7.

Hershey Company is a corporation organized and existing under the

25

laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at 100 Crystal A

26

Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033. Hershey Company is a major manufacturer

27

and seller of chocolate, confectionery and snack products. Hershey Company is the

28

exclusive United States licensee of the YORK trademark, the CADBURY trademark
3
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 4 of 38 Page ID #:4

and trade dress, and the KIT KAT trademark and trade dress, and the ROLO

trademark and trade dress with respect to the products at issue in this lawsuit.

8.

Hershey Chocolate is a corporation organized and existing under the

laws of the State of Delaware, with its principal place of business at 4860 Robb

Street, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033. Hershey Chocolate is a wholly owned

subsidiary of Hershey Company and is the owner of the REESES trade dress and

the MALTESER trademark.

8
9

9.

On information and belief, defendant LBB is a limited liability

company organized and existing under the laws of the State of New Jersey, with

10

places of business at 2015 S. Acacia Court, Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220 and 201

11

Penhorn Avenue, Secaucus, New Jersey 07094. On information and belief, LBB is

12

engaged in the business of importing, distributing and selling a wide range of

13

products throughout the United States, including the Infringing Products at issue in

14

this lawsuit.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE

15
16

10.

The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over Hersheys federal-law

17

claims for trademark and trade dress infringement, trademark and trade dress

18

dilution, false designation of origin, and unfair competition claims under Section 39

19

of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1121, and under 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a) &

20

(b). The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over Hersheys state-law claims under

21

28 U.S.C. 1367 and, because the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000 exclusive

22

of interest and costs and there is complete diversity of citizenship, under 28 U.S.C.

23

1332.

24

11.

The Court has personal jurisdiction over defendant because, upon

25

information and belief, defendant is present and doing business in the State of

26

California and this judicial district either directly or through its agents, and has

27

distributed its Infringing Products to persons in, and offered its Infringing Products

28

for sale in, the State of California and this judicial district.
4
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 5 of 38 Page ID #:5

12.

Venue is appropriate in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391 because

defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction in this judicial district and because a

substantial part of the events giving rise to plaintiffs claims occurred in this judicial

district.
ALLEGATIONS COMMON TO ALL CLAIMS

5
6
7
8
9

A.

Hersheys Federally Registered and Famous


REESES Orange Mark and REESES Trade Dress
13.

Among Hersheys most successful product lines is the REESES family

of candy products, first introduced in 1928. For more than 40 years, Hersheys

10

REESES products have been sold throughout the United States in packaging that

11

features a distinctive orange background color and a distinctive combination of

12

orange, yellow and brown elements.

13

14.

Hershey Chocolate owns an incontestable, valid, subsisting and existing

14

federal trademark registration (No. 2,256,226) consisting of an orange-colored

15

background covering the entirety of the packaging for the goods, for candy and

16

confectionery chips for baking with peanut butter as the characterizing flavor or one

17

of various characterizing flavors (the REESES Orange Mark). A copy of the

18

certificate of registration for the REESES Orange Mark is attached as Exhibit A.

19

15.

Hersheys REESES brand candy products have also been widely

20

advertised and sold throughout the United States for many years in packaging that

21

features a unique combination of orange, brown and yellow elements (including the

22

orange background of the REESES Orange Mark, with prominent yellow type with

23

dark outlining). These elements are the subject of an incontestable, valid, subsisting

24

and existing federal trademark registration (No. 925,609) owned by Hershey

25

Chocolate for the mark REESES MILK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

26

and Design (the REESES Trade Dress). A copy of the certificate of registration

27

for the REESES Trade Dress is attached as Exhibit B.

28
5
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 6 of 38 Page ID #:6

16.

The REESES family of products includes the famous REESES Peanut

Butter Cup, REESES Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures, REESES PIECES candies,

REESES WHIPPS, REESES Crispy Crunchy, REESES FAST BREAK,

REESES Sticks and REESES BIG CUP, all of which are examples of how

Hershey uses its distinctive REESES Orange Mark and its distinctive REESES

Trade Dress on packages to immediately identify these candy products as part of the

REESES family of products. Representative images of product packaging

embodying the REESES Trade Dress and REESES Orange Mark are attached as

Exhibit C.

10

17.

Hershey Chocolate also owns a number of valid, subsisting and existing

11

federal trademark registrations for various iterations of packaging for its REESES

12

brand line extensions, each of which claims a combination of orange, yellow and

13

brown as a feature of the mark. Copies of the certificates of registration for these

14

designs are attached as Exhibit D.

15

18.

The distinctive REESES orange background color that comprises the

16

REESES Orange Mark is an arbitrary design element that is nonfunctional and

17

inherently distinctive. Likewise, the REESES Trade Dress constitutes an arbitrary

18

combination of arbitrary design elements, the overall appearance and the elements of

19

which are nonfunctional and inherently distinctive.

20

19.

In addition, for many decades, the REESES Orange Mark and the

21

REESES Trade Dress have figured prominently in Hersheys promotion of the

22

REESES brand. As early as the 1960s, Hershey used print advertising that alerted

23

consumers to Look for REESES Peanut Butter Cups wherever candy is sold, in the

24

familiar orange wrapper and to Look for the bright orange pack. Many of

25

Hersheys print ads for the REESES family of products are set against a field of the

26

unique REESES orange color used in the REESES packaging, with orange, brown

27

and yellow elements. Other advertising and promotional materials for REESES

28

products also feature the bright REESES orange with elements of orange, brown
6
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 7 of 38 Page ID #:7

and yellow. Hershey spends millions of dollars for advertising of its REESES

family of peanut butter products each year.

20.

Hersheys REESES Peanut Butter Cups is one of the most popular

candy bar products in the country, with sales of over $1 billion each year in the

United States alone in packaging bearing the REESES Orange Mark and the

REESES Trade Dress. In total, sales of the REESES family of products in the

United States have exceeded $7 billion in the last five years alone.

21.

By virtue of Hersheys substantial sales, marketing and use of the

REESES Orange Mark and the REESES Trade Dress throughout the United States

10

in connection with the REESES family of products, the REESES Orange Mark and

11

the REESES Trade Dress have become famous and well known, have become

12

distinctive of Hersheys products, and have come to identify and indicate the source

13

of Hersheys products to consumers and the trade. Hershey has developed for itself

14

and its REESES Orange Mark, REESES Trade Dress and REESEs family of

15

products substantial goodwill and an excellent reputation among actual and potential

16

purchasers and users of its products.

17

22.

In light of the distinctiveness of the REESES Orange Mark and the

18

REESES Trade Dress and the duration and extent of Hersheys sales, marketing and

19

use of this mark throughout the United States, the REESES Orange Mark and the

20

REESES Trade Dress are distinctive and famous among consumers in the State of

21

California and throughout the United States.

22

B.

23
24

Defendants Infringement and Dilution of the


REESES Orange Mark and the REESES Trade Dress
23.

Well after Hershey first began using its REESES Orange Mark and the

25

REESES Trade Dress for its candy products, and after those marks had become

26

famous, defendant commenced selling, in the United States, TOFFEE CRISP brand

27

confectionery products that are manufactured for sale outside of the United States by

28
7
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 8 of 38 Page ID #:8

entities other than Hershey and that are not authorized by Hershey for sale in the

United States.

24.

The TOFFEE CRISP products sold by defendants use sold in a package

design that is strikingly similar to the REESES Orange Mark and REESES Trade

Dress.

25.

First, the predominant color on the TOFFEE CRISP package is a shade

of orange that is identical or nearly identical to the shade of orange that is protected

by the REESES Orange Mark and that Hershey uses in connection with its

REESES family of products.

10

26.

Second, the name TOFFEE CRISP is displayed in an identical or nearly

11

identical shade of yellow as Hershey uses on its REESES packaging for the words

12

Reeses, Pieces, and Big Cup, among others, and uses a slanted font similar to

13

that of the REESES packaging.

14

27.

Third, the yellow TOFFEE CRISP text is surrounded by dark outlining

15

that is nearly identical to the dark outlining that Hershey uses for yellow type on its

16

REESES products.

17
18

28.

An image of a TOFFEE CRISP product of the type sold by defendant is

set forth below, above an image of Hersheys REESES product:

19

Example of infringing
TOFFEE CRISP products

20
21
22
23

Example of Hershey
REESES products

24
25
26
27
28
8
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 9 of 38 Page ID #:9

29.

On information and belief, defendant imports its infringing TOFFEE

CRISP products into the United States and offers them for sale through, inter alia,

its sales offices and catalogs. On information and belief, defendant also advertises

and sells its TOFFEE CRISP products through its website (www.lbbimports.com).

30.

The TOFFEE CRISP products that defendant sells in the United States

are not manufactured or authorized by Hershey. Defendant has never been

authorized by Hershey or its affiliates to use the REESES Orange Mark or the

REESES Trade Dress, or any variants thereof, in connection with candy or any

other product.

10

31.

Given that the trade dress of the TOFFEE CRISP products sold by

11

defendant is extremely similar to Hersheys famous REESES Orange Mark and

12

famous REESES Trade Dress, and is used for confectionery products, defendants

13

sale of TOFFEE CRISP products inevitably will cause confusion among consumers

14

as to the origin, source or sponsorship of defendants TOFFEE CRISP products.

15

32.

In addition, the TOFFEE CRISP trade dress is likely to dilute the

16

distinctive quality of the REESES Orange Mark and the REESES Trade Dress by

17

lessening their capacity to identify and distinguish Hersheys products.

18

33.

Defendants acts are causing and will continue to cause damage and

19

irreparable harm to Hershey and the valuable reputation and goodwill of its marks

20

with purchasers and consumers.

21

C.

22

Hersheys Exclusive Right to Use the YORK Mark


34.

The distinctive and famous YORK trademark has been used since the

23

1920s in connection with chocolate and confectionery products. The well-known

24

YORK peppermint patty was introduced in 1940. For the last quarter-century, since

25

1988, YORK-branded products have been manufactured and distributed in the

26

United States by Hershey Company.

27
28

35.

Hershey Company owns an exclusive license (even as to the licensor) to

use the famous registered trademark YORK in connection with, inter alia, all food
9
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 10 of 38 Page ID #:10

and food-related products in the United States. Hershey Companys licensor, Kraft

Foods Ireland Intellectual Property Limited (Kraft), owns two incontestable, valid,

subsisting and existing United States trademark registrations for the YORK

trademark (Nos. 564,557 and 1,644,557). Copies of the certificates for the foregoing

federal registrations for the YORK mark are attached as Exhibit E.

36.

The YORK mark has been extensively advertised and used throughout

the United States for decades. Hershey has spent tens of millions of dollars on

advertising for YORK products and sells more than $100 million of YORK products

each year in the United States.

10

37.

Through substantial use, sales and promotion of products bearing the

11

YORK mark by Hershey and its licensor, the YORK mark has become extremely

12

well known and famous for use in connection with YORK confectionery products

13

licensed by Hershey, has become distinctive of these products and has come to

14

identify and indicate the source of these products to consumers and the trade.

15

38.

In light of the distinctiveness of the YORK mark, as well as the

16

duration and extent of Hersheys sales, marketing and use of the YORK mark

17

throughout the United States, the YORK mark is distinctive and famous among

18

consumers in the State of California and throughout the United States.

19

39.

Pursuant to the license agreement between Hershey Company and

20

Krafts predecessor-in-interest, Cadbury Schweppes Inc., Hershey is expressly

21

authorized to file a lawsuit to protect the marks that it licenses from Kraft.

22

D.

23

Defendants Infringement and Dilution of the YORK Mark


40.

Well after Hershey began using the YORK mark in the United States,

24

and after the YORK mark had become famous in the United States, defendant

25

commenced selling in the United States YORKIE brand confectionery products that

26

are manufactured for sale outside of the United States by entities other than Hershey

27

and that are not authorized by Hershey for sale in the United States.

28
10
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 11 of 38 Page ID #:11

41.

On information and belief, defendant imports these infringing products

into the United States and offers them for sale through, inter alia, its sales offices

and catalogs. On information and belief, defendant also advertises and sells its

YORKIE products through its website (www.lbbimports.com).

42.

The YORKIE products that defendant sells in the United States are not

manufactured or authorized by Hershey. Defendant has never been authorized by

Hershey or its affiliates to use the YORK mark, or any variant thereof, in connection

with candy or any other product.

43.

Given that the YORKIE mark used by defendant is extremely similar to

10

Hersheys famous YORK mark, and is used for chocolate confectionery products,

11

defendants sale of YORKIE products inevitably will cause confusion among

12

consumers as to the origin, source or sponsorship of defendants YORKIE product.

13

44.

In addition, the YORKIE mark is likely to dilute the distinctive quality

14

of the famous YORK mark by lessening its capacity to identify and distinguish

15

Hersheys products.

16

45.

Defendants acts are causing and will continue to cause damage and

17

irreparable harm to Hershey and the valuable reputation and goodwill of its licensed

18

marks with purchasers and consumers.

19

E.

20

Hersheys Exclusive Rights to Use the MALTESER Mark


46.

Since as early as 1961, Hershey and its predecessors-in-interest have

21

used the distinctive trademark MALTESER in connection with chocolate-covered

22

malted milk ball candy products.

23

47.

Hershey owns incontestable, valid, subsisting and existing United

24

States trademark registrations for the MALTESER mark (Reg. No. 761,679) and for

25

a stylized version of the MALTESER mark (Reg. No 1,923,905) for use in

26

connection with candy. Copies of the certificates for the foregoing federal

27

registrations are attached as Exhibit F.

28
11
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 12 of 38 Page ID #:12

48.

The MALTESER mark has been used in the United States for more

than 52 years in connection with chocolate-covered malted milk ball candy products

in the United States.

49.

Through substantial sales, marketing and use of the MALTESER mark

in the United States, the MALTESER mark has become distinctive of Hersheys

products in the United States, and has come to identify and indicate the source of

those products to consumers and the trade.

8
9

50.

In light of the distinctiveness of the MALTESER mark, Hersheys sales

and use of the mark, and Hersheys federal registrations pertaining to the mark,

10

Hershey owns the exclusive right to use the word MALTESER, or any term

11

substantially similar thereto or derivative thereof, in connection with candy products

12

throughout the United States.

13

F.

14
15
16

Defendants Infringement of the MALTESER Mark


51.

Defendant sells chocolate-covered malted milk ball candy products in

the United States under the brand name MALTESERS.


52.

On information and belief, defendant imports these infringing products

17

into the United States and offers them for sale through, inter alia, its sales offices

18

and catalogs. On information and belief, defendant also advertises and sells its

19

MALTESERS products through its website (www.lbbimports.com).

20

53.

The MALTESERS products that defendant sells in the United States are

21

not manufactured or authorized by Hershey. Indeed, defendant has never been

22

authorized by Hershey or its affiliates to use the MALTESER mark, the

23

MALTESERS mark, or any variant thereof, in connection with candy or any other

24

product.

25

54.

Defendants MALTESERS mark is merely the plural form of Hersheys

26

registered mark MALTESER, and is used by defendant in connection with an

27

extremely similar product.

28
12
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 13 of 38 Page ID #:13

55.

Accordingly, defendants sale of candy under its MALTESERS mark

inevitably will cause confusion among consumers as to the origin, source or

sponsorship of the products offered by defendant, and cause many potential

purchasers to mistakenly believe that the products are the same as those offered by

Hershey, or that they are in some way authorized or licensed by the source of the

MALTESER brand.

56.

Defendants acts are causing and will continue to cause damage and

irreparable harm to Hershey and the valuable reputation and goodwill of its marks

with purchasers and consumers.

10

G.

Hersheys Exclusive Right to Use the CADBURY Mark and

11
12

the CADBURY Trade Dress for Chocolate Products in the United States
57.

The well-known and famous CADBURY brand of chocolate candy was

13

introduced in the United Kingdom in approximately 1855. For a quarter of a

14

century, since 1988, Hershey has manufactured and sold chocolate products bearing

15

the CADBURY mark in the United States.

16

58.

Hershey Company owns an exclusive license (even as to the licensor) to

17

use the famous registered trademark CADBURY in the United States in connection

18

with, among other things, chocolate candy. Hershey Companys licensor, Cadbury

19

UK Limited Corporation (Cadbury UK), owns incontestable, valid, subsisting and

20

existing United States trademark registrations covering the famous CADBURY

21

mark and logos, including Registration No. 65,081 covering CADBURY for

22

chocolate; Registration No. 230,468 covering CADBURY for, inter alia,

23

chocolate candy; Registration No. 977,811 covering CADBURY for, inter alia,

24

candy; and Registration No. 1,107,458 covering a stylized version of the

25

CADBURY mark for, inter alia, chocolate and chocolates and non-medicated

26

confectionery. Cadbury UK also owns incontestable, valid, subsisting and existing

27

United States trademark registrations covering the names of various candy bars sold

28

under the CADBURY brand, including CARAMELLO (Reg. Nos. 771,569 and
13
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 14 of 38 Page ID #:14

2,962,010) and DAIRY MILK (Reg. Nos. 1,403,327, 2,942,301 and 4,224,494).

Cadbury UK also owns an incontestable, valid, subsisting and existing United States

trademark registration covering a design that appears on the packaging of some

milk-chocolate varieties of CADBURY products, which depicts milk being from one

full glass on the left and one half glass on the right (the glass and a half design)

(Reg. No. 1,460,259). Copies of the certificates of registration for the foregoing

federal registrations are attached as Exhibit G.

8
9

59.

Hershey Company also owns an exclusive license (even as to the

licensor) to use the distinctive trade dress associated with the CADBURY mark (the

10

CADBURY Trade Dress). The CADBURY Trade Dress features, inter alia, a

11

purple and gold color scheme, the distinctive CADBURY stylized script (typically in

12

gold) including the large spiral C and the mirror-image design of the d and b,

13

and, on some milk-chocolate varieties of CADBURY products, the glass and a

14

half design. Representative images of product packaging embodying the

15

CADBURY Trade Dress are attached as Exhibit H.

16

60.

The CADBURY Trade Dress constitutes an arbitrary combination of

17

arbitrary design elements, the overall appearance and the elements of which are

18

nonfunctional and inherently distinctive.

19

61.

The CADBURY mark and the CADBURY Trade Dress have been

20

extensively advertised and used throughout the United States for decades. Hershey

21

Company has spent tens of millions of dollars on advertising for CADBURY

22

products (including CARAMELLO and DAIRY MILK products) that feature the

23

CADBURY mark and the CADBURY Trade Dress, and retail sales of CADBURY

24

chocolate products bearing those marks have exceeded half a billion dollars in the

25

past five years alone.

26

62.

By virtue of Hersheys substantial sales, marketing and use of the

27

CADBURY mark and the CADBURY Trade Dress throughout the United States in

28

connection with the CADBURY family of products, the CADBURY mark and the
14
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 15 of 38 Page ID #:15

CADBURY Trade Dress have become famous and well known, have become

distinctive of Hersheys products, and have come to identify and indicate the source

of Hersheys products to consumers and the trade. Hershey has developed for itself

and its CADBURY mark, CADBURY Trade Dress and CADBURY family of

products substantial goodwill and an excellent reputation among actual and potential

purchasers and users of its products in the United States.

63.

Pursuant to the license agreement between Hershey Company and

Cadbury UK, Hershey is expressly authorized to file suit in order to protect the

marks that it licenses from Cadbury UK from infringement, dilution, unfair

10

competition, or impairment in the United States.

11

H.

12
13

Defendants Infringement and Dilution of


the CADBURY Mark and the CADBURY Trade Dress
64.

Well after Hershey began using the CADBURY mark and the

14

CADBURY Trade Dress in the United States, and after the CADBURY mark and

15

the CADBURY Trade Dress had become famous in the United States, defendant

16

commenced selling CADBURY chocolate products in the United States that are

17

manufactured for sale outside of the United States by entities other than Hershey and

18

that are not authorized by Hershey for sale in the United States.

19

65.

On information and belief, defendant imports its infringing CADBURY

20

products into the United States and offers them for sale through, inter alia, its sales

21

offices and catalogs. On information and belief, defendant also advertises and sells

22

its CADBURY products through its website (www.lbbimports.com).

23

66.

Defendants CADBURY products bear marks that are identical to the

24

registered CADBURY mark for which Hershey owns an exclusive license in the

25

United States. In addition, many of defendants CADBURY products bear marks

26

that are identical to the registered CARAMELLO or DAIRY MILK marks, for

27

which Hershey owns an exclusive license in the United States.

28
15
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 16 of 38 Page ID #:16

67.

Defendants CADBURY products bear a trade dress that is essentially

identical to the distinctive and well-known CADBURY Trade Dress for which

Hershey owns an exclusive license. Defendants products bear the same purple and

gold color scheme, the same distinctive CADBURY stylized script in gold type

including the large spiral C and mirror-image design of the d and b, and the

same glass and a half design on milk chocolate varieties.

68.

The CADBURY chocolate products that defendant sells in the United

States are not manufactured or authorized by Hershey. Upon information and belief,

these products are manufactured by Hersheys licensor for sale in markets outside of

10

the United States and are not intended for sale within the United States. Defendant

11

has never been authorized by Hershey to use the CADBURY mark or the

12

CADBURY Trade Dress in connection with chocolates or any other product in the

13

United States.

14

69.

Defendants imported CADBURY products are materially different

15

from Hersheys CADBURY products that are intended for sale in the United States

16

in a number of ways. Among other differences, the packages for the defendants

17

CADBURY products display non-U.S. contact information and often bear

18

nutritional information required by non-U.S. regulatory authorities. In addition,

19

defendant also sells some different varieties and configurations of CADBURY

20

products than Hershey.

21

70.

Defendants use of marks that are identical to the CADBURY mark,

22

and a trade dress that is identical or nearly identical to the CADBURY Trade Dress,

23

on chocolate products that are not manufactured, authorized, or approved by

24

Hershey, and that are materially different than those intended by Hershey for sale in

25

the United States, is likely to cause confusion among consumers as to the origin,

26

source, or sponsorship of the defendants CADBURY products.

27
28
16
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 17 of 38 Page ID #:17

71.

In addition, defendants sale of CADBURY products is likely to dilute

the distinctive quality of the CADBURY mark and the CADBURY Trade Dress by

lessening their capacity to identify and distinguish Hershey Companys products.

72.

Defendants acts are causing and will continue to cause damage and

irreparable harm to Hershey and the valuable reputation and goodwill of its licensed

marks with purchasers and consumers.

I.

Hersheys Exclusive Rights to Use the KIT KAT Mark and

the KIT KAT Trade Dress for Confectionery Products in the United

States

10

73.

The well-known and famous KIT KAT brand of chocolate-covered

11

wafer confections was introduced in United Kingdom in approximately 1937. For

12

more than thirty-five years, since 1979, Hershey Company has manufactured and

13

sold confectionery products bearing the KIT KAT mark in the United States.

14

74.

Hershey Company owns an exclusive license (even as to the licensor) to

15

use the famous registered mark KIT KAT in the United States in connection with,

16

inter alia, the familiar chocolate-covered wafer confections. Hershey Companys

17

licensor, Socit des Produits Nestl S.A. (Nestl), owns incontestable, valid,

18

subsisting and existing United States trademark registrations for the KIT KAT mark

19

(Reg. No. 1,022,181) and for a stylized version of the KIT KAT mark (Reg. No

20

1,535,582) for use in connection with wafer fingers in milk chocolate. Copies of

21

the certificates of registration for the foregoing federal registrations are attached as

22

Exhibit I.

23

75.

Hershey Company also owns an exclusive license to use the distinctive

24

trade dress associated with KIT KAT products (the KIT KAT Trade Dress). The

25

KIT KAT Trade Dress features a distinctive red-and-white color scheme and a

26

distinctive stylized script, which includes two oversized Ks that dwarf the other

27

letters in the words Kit and Kat, slanted typeface, and an oval shape that

28
17
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 18 of 38 Page ID #:18

surrounds the term Kit Kat. Representative images of product packaging

embodying the KIT KAT Trade Dress are attached as Exhibit J.

76.

The KIT KAT Trade Dress constitutes an arbitrary combination of

arbitrary design elements, the overall appearance and the elements of which are

nonfunctional and inherently distinctive.

77.

The KIT KAT mark and the KIT KAT Trade Dress have been

extensively advertised and used throughout the United States for decades. Hershey

has spent tens of millions of dollars on advertising for KIT KAT products that

feature the KIT KAT mark and the KIT KAT Trade Dress in the past five years

10

alone, and retail sales of KIT KAT products bearing the KIT KAT mark and the KIT

11

KAT Trade Dress in that time period have exceeded one billion dollars.

12

78.

By virtue of Hersheys substantial sales, marketing and use of the KIT

13

KAT mark and the KIT KAT Trade Dress throughout the United States in

14

connection with Hersheys KIT KAT products, the KIT KAT mark and the KIT

15

KAT Trade Dress have become famous and well known, have become distinctive of

16

Hersheys products, and have come to identify and indicate the source of Hersheys

17

products to consumers and the trade. Hershey has developed for itself and its KIT

18

KAT mark, KIT KAT Trade Dress and KIT KAT products substantial goodwill and

19

an excellent reputation among actual and potential purchasers and users of its

20

products.

21

79.

In light of the distinctiveness of the KIT KAT mark and the KIT KAT

22

Trade Dress and the duration and extent of Hersheys sales, marketing and use of

23

this mark throughout the United States, the KIT KAT mark and the KIT KAT Trade

24

Dress are distinctive and famous among consumers in the State of California and

25

throughout the United States.

26
27

80.

Pursuant to a license agreement between Hershey Company and

Nestls predecessor-in-interest, Rowntree Mackintosh Limited, Hershey is

28
18
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 19 of 38 Page ID #:19

expressly authorized to file suit in order to protect the marks that it licenses from

Nestl from infringement, dilution, or unfair competition in the United States.

J.

4
5

Defendants Infringement and Dilution of the


KIT KAT Mark and the KIT KAT Trade Dress
81.

Well after Hershey began using the KIT KAT mark and the KIT KAT

Trade Dress in the United States, and after the KIT KAT mark and Trade Dress had

become famous in the United States, defendant commenced selling KIT KAT-

branded chocolate-covered wafer products in the United States that are

manufactured for sale outside of the United States by entities other than Hershey and

10
11

that are not authorized by Hershey for sale in the United States.
82.

On information and belief, defendant imports its infringing KIT KAT

12

products into the United States and offers them for sale through, inter alia, its sales

13

offices and catalogs. On information and belief, defendant also advertises and sells

14

its KIT KAT products through its website (www.lbbimports.com).

15

83.

Defendants KIT KAT products bear the mark KIT KAT, which is

16

identical to the registered mark KIT KAT owned by Hersheys licensor. Moreover,

17

defendants KIT KAT products use a stylized script that is nearly identical to the

18

registered stylized KIT KAT mark, with a trade dress that is nearly identical to the

19

KIT KAT Trade Dress.

20

84.

The KIT KAT products that defendant sells in the United States are not

21

manufactured or authorized by Hershey. Defendant has never been authorized by

22

Hershey to use the KIT KAT mark or the KIT KAT Trade Dress in connection with

23

chocolate-covered wafers or any other product.

24

85.

Defendants imported KIT KAT products are materially different from

25

Hersheys KIT KAT products that are intended for sale in the United States in a

26

number of ways. Among other differences, the packages for the defendants KIT

27

KAT products display non-U.S. contact information and often bear nutritional

28

information required by non-U.S. regulatory authorities.


19
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 20 of 38 Page ID #:20

86.

Defendants use of a mark that is identical to the registered mark KIT

KAT, in a stylized form that is nearly identical to the stylized mark licensed by

Hershey, with a trade dress that is nearly identical to the KIT KAT Trade Dress, on

products that are not manufactured, authorized, or approved by Hershey, and that are

materially different than those intended by Hershey for sale in the United States, is

likely to cause confusion among consumers as to the origin, source, or sponsorship

of the defendants KIT KAT products.

8
9
10

87.

In addition, defendants sale of KIT KAT products is likely to dilute the

distinctive quality of the KIT KAT mark and the KIT KAT Trade Dress by lessening
their capacity to identify and distinguish Hersheys products.

11

88.

Defendants acts are causing and will continue to cause damage and

12

irreparable harm to Hershey and the valuable reputation and goodwill of its licensed

13

marks with purchasers and consumers.

14

K.

15
16

Hersheys Exclusive Rights to Use the ROLO Mark and


the Trade Dress for Confectionery Products in the United States
89.

The distinctive and famous ROLO brand of chocolate confections was

17

introduced in United Kingdom in approximately 1937. Since 1979, for over thirty-

18

five years, Hershey Company has manufactured and sold confectionery products

19

bearing the ROLO mark in the United States.

20

90.

Hershey Company owns an exclusive license (even as to the licensor) to

21

use the famous registered mark ROLO in the United States in connection with, inter

22

alia, the familiar caramel-filled chocolates. Hershey Companys licensor, Nestl,

23

owns incontestable, valid, subsisting and existing United States trademark

24

registrations for the ROLO mark (Reg. No. 3,365,435) and for a stylized version of

25

the ROLO mark (Reg. No. 363,472) for use in connection with candy. Copies of

26

the certificates of registration for the foregoing federal registrations are attached as

27

Exhibit K.

28
20
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 21 of 38 Page ID #:21

91.

Hershey Company also owns an exclusive license to use the distinctive

trade dress associated with ROLO products (the ROLO Trade Dress). The ROLO

Trade Dress features a cylindrical package bearing a distinctive red, brown, and gold

scheme. The word ROLO is featured prominently in thick, red lettering with thin

white outlining, set against a brown background with gold foil exposed at the ends

of each cylinder. An image of the distinctively-shaped ROLO product is set to the

right of the large, red ROLO text. An example of the distinctive ROLO Trade

Dress, as it appears on one of Hersheys ROLO products, is set forth below:

9
10
11
12

92.

The ROLO Trade Dress constitutes an arbitrary combination of

13

arbitrary design elements, the overall appearance and the elements of which are

14

nonfunctional and inherently distinctive.

15

93.

The ROLO mark and Trade Dress have been extensively advertised and

16

used throughout the United States for decades. Hershey has spent tens of millions of

17

dollars on advertising for its ROLO products in the United States over the past five

18

years. Hershey sells more than $100 million of ROLO products each year in the

19

United States.

20

94.

By virtue of Hersheys substantial sales, marketing and use of the

21

ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade Dress throughout the United States in connection

22

with Hersheys ROLO products, the ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade Dress have

23

become famous and well known, have become distinctive of Hersheys products,

24

and have come to identify and indicate the source of Hersheys products to

25

consumers and the trade. Hershey has developed for itself and its ROLO mark,

26

ROLO Trade Dress and ROLO products substantial goodwill and an excellent

27

reputation among actual and potential purchasers and users of its products.

28
21
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 22 of 38 Page ID #:22

95.

In light of the distinctiveness of the ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade

Dress and the duration and extent of Hersheys sales, marketing and use of this mark

throughout the United States the ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade Dress are

distinctive and famous among consumers in the State of California and throughout

the United States.

96.

Pursuant to a license agreement between Hershey Company and

Nestls predecessor-in-interest, Rowntree Mackintosh Limited, Hershey is

expressly authorized to file suit in order to protect the marks that it licenses from

Nestl from infringement, dilution, or unfair competition in the United States.

10
11
12

L.

Defendants Infringement and Dilution of


the ROLO Mark and the ROLO Trade Dress
97.

Well after Hershey began using the ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade

13

Dress in the United States, and after the ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade Dress

14

had become famous in the United States, defendant commenced selling ROLO-

15

branded caramel-filled chocolate products in the United States that are manufactured

16

for sale outside of the United States by entities other than Hershey and that are not

17

authorized by Hershey for sale in the United States.

18

98.

On information and belief, defendant imports its infringing ROLO

19

products into the United States and offers them for sale through, inter alia, its sales

20

offices and catalogs. On information and belief, defendant also advertises and sells

21

its ROLO products through its website (www.lbbimports.com).

22

99.

Defendants ROLO products bear marks that are identical to the

23

registered ROLO mark for which Hershey owns an exclusive license in the United

24

States.

25

100.

Defendants ROLO products bear a trade dress that is essentially

26

identical to the distinctive and well-known ROLO Trade Dress for which Hershey

27

owns an exclusive license. Defendants products bear the same brown, red and gold

28
22
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 23 of 38 Page ID #:23

color scheme, and a highly similar red script with white outlining for the ROLO

mark.

101.

An image of a ROLO product of the type sold by defendant is set forth

below, beside an image of Hersheys ROLO product:

5
6
7
8
9

Example of Hersheys ROLO product


102.

Example of infringing ROLO product

The ROLO products that defendant sells in the United States are not

10

manufactured or authorized by Hershey. Defendant has never been authorized by

11

Hershey to use the ROLO mark or the ROLO Dress in connection with caramel-

12

filled chocolates or any other product.

13

103.

Defendants imported ROLO products are materially different from

14

Hersheys ROLO products that are intended for sale in the United States in a number

15

of ways. Among other differences, the packages for the defendants ROLO products

16

display non-U.S. contact information and often bear nutritional information required

17

by non-U.S. regulatory authorities.

18

104.

Defendants use of a mark that is identical to the registered mark

19

ROLO, in a stylized form that is nearly identical to the stylized mark licensed by

20

Hershey, with a trade dress that is nearly identical to the ROLO Trade Dress, on

21

products that are not manufactured, authorized, or approved by Hershey, and that are

22

materially different than those intended by Hershey for sale in the United States, is

23

likely to cause confusion among consumers as to the origin, source, or sponsorship

24

of the defendants ROLO products.

25

105.

In addition, defendants sale of ROLO products is likely to dilute the

26

distinctive quality of the ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade Dress by lessening their

27

capacity to identify and distinguish Hersheys products.

28
23
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 24 of 38 Page ID #:24

106.

Defendants acts are causing and will continue to cause damage and

irreparable harm to Hershey and the valuable reputation and goodwill of its licensed

marks with purchasers and consumers.

M.

5
6

Defendants Acknowledgement of Its Infringement and


Defendants Agreement to Stop Importing the Infringing Products

107.

As set forth in detail below, defendant has been on notice of Hersheys

objections to its sale of the Infringing Products since at least December 2012. After

months of delay cause by defendants failure to offer a substantive response to

Hersheys objections, defendant finally acknowledged that its activities infringed

10

Hersheys trademark rights and promised to stop advertising and selling the

11

Infringing Products in the United States, an agreement it has broken.

12

108.

Hersheys counsel first wrote to defendant on December 19, 2012,

13

objecting to the sales of the Infringing Products and demanding that defendant cease

14

and desist from infringing or diluting Hersheys valuable trademark rights in the

15

Hershey Marks. Hershey requested a response from defendant by January 9, 2013.

16

Hersheys letter was addressed to Mr. Nathan Dulley, who, on information and

17

belief, was (and remains) the President of LBB. A copy of this letter (without the

18

voluminous exhibits thereto), along with the other written correspondence between

19

the parties described below, is attached as Exhibit L.

20

109.

On or about January 14, 2013, Mr. Dulley left a voicemail for

21

Hersheys counsel, requesting additional time to respond to Hersheys letter in light

22

of Mr. Dulleys travel schedule.

23

110.

On February 14, 2013, having not heard further from Mr. Dulley,

24

Hersheys counsel emailed Mr. Dulley, requesting a response as soon as possible

25

in order to resolve the situation. Still, Hershey received no response.

26

111.

Hersheys counsel wrote to defendant on June 28, 2013, reiterating

27

objecting to defendants important and sale of the Infringing Products. Hershey

28

requested a response by July 15, 2013.


24
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 25 of 38 Page ID #:25

112.

On July 12, 2013, Mr. Dulley sent an email response to Hersheys

counsel, requesting an extension of time to respond to Hersheys letter until August

2, 2013. Hersheys counsel agreed to the extra time, but requested that defendant

confirm before then that [LBB was] agreeable in principle to stopping the

objectionable sales.

113.

In a reply dated August 2, 2013, Mr. Dulley responded that LBB does

agree in principle to stopping the objectionable sales. Mr. Dully also promised to

provide more detailed response later that day.

114.

On August 7, 2013, Mr. Dulley sent another email to Hersheys

10

counsel. Mr. Dulley not only reiterated defendants agreement to stop selling the

11

Infringing Products, but admitted that the sale of those products infringed Hersheys

12

rights:

13

As previously stated in my email from Friday 8/02/2013, I

14

agree in principle to stop what Hershey considers to be

15

objectionable sales, and agree there is indeed an element

16

of infringement to the majority of what was brought forth

17

in your letter.

18

(Emphasis added). In his email, Mr. Dulley went on to state that there was a large

19

demand for imported CADBURY products and proposed that LBB be permitted to

20

import CADBURY products from outside the United States in exchange for paying a

21

royalty to Hershey.

22

115.

After receiving Mr. Dulleys August 7, 2013 email, Hershey obtained

23

an electronic copy of defendants Christmas 2013 catalog. The catalog contained

24

dozens of pages with advertisements for imported CADBURY, MALTESERS,

25

YORKIE and ROLO products. The metadata for the document suggests that it was

26

created on or about June 21, 2013well after Hershey first objected to the sale of

27

the Infringing Products. On information and belief, defendant continued to

28

distribute its Christmas 2013 catalog during the month of August 2013, even after
25
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 26 of 38 Page ID #:26

agreeing to stop selling the Infringing Products. A copy of excerpts from

defendants Christmas 2013 catalog is attached as Exhibit M.

116.

Hersheys counsel responded by email on August 27, 2013, rejecting

defendants proposal to import CADBURY products under a royalty agreement.

Hersheys counsel stated that Hershey appreciated [LBBs] agreement in principle

to stop importing to products to which Hershey previously objected. Hershey also

expressed concerns that defendants distribution of the Christmas 2013 catalog

raise[d] serious questions as to whether [LBB was] giving this matter the serious

attention that it deserves.

10

117.

On September 9, 2013, Mr. Dulley emailed Hersheys counsel, stating

11

that he would provide a more fulsome response the following day. He reiterated

12

defendants agreement to stop its infringing sales: Bottom line well stop

13

Cadbury sales that infringe on Hershey business.

14

118.

On Septembers 11, 2013, Mr. Dulley sent another email to Hersheys

15

counsel, again confirming defendants agreement to stop selling the Infringing

16

Products: This email confirms that LBB will stop all distribution and sales in the

17

US of the CADBURY, KIT KAT, ROLO, MALTESERS, YORKIE and TOFFEE

18

CRISP products to which Hershey objects.

19
20
21

119.

On September 13, 2013, Hersheys counsel responded by thanking

defendant for its agreement to stop importing the Infringing Products.


120.

On October 10, 2013, Mr. Dulley emailed Hersheys counsel, again

22

requesting a licensing arrangement where defendant would be permitted to import

23

the Infringing Products if it paid a royalty to Hershey.

24

121.

On October 23, 2013, Hersheys counsel responded that Hershey was

25

not interested in any such arrangement, enclosing a proposed letter agreement to

26

memorialize the agreement reached by the parties:

27

While I appreciate your effort to find some other solution

28

to this matter, we trust that LBB will abide by its prior


26
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 27 of 38 Page ID #:27

agreement to cease sale in the United States of these

products (and the other imported products that I have

identified as violating Hersheys rights in the U.S.). To

that end, while I understand we have an agreement that

LBB Imports is stopping these sales in exchange for

Hershey not pursuing further action, I enclose a more

formal letter to memorialize that agreement.

8
9
10

122.

Neither Mr. Dulley nor anyone else at LBB responded to the October

23, 2013 email from Hersheys counsel.


123.

In consideration for defendants unambiguous promise to stop

11

importing and selling within the United States the Infringing Products, Hershey

12

refrained from taking additional steps to protect its valuable trademark rights, such

13

as filing a lawsuit against defendant for trademark and trade dress infringement,

14

trademark and trade dress dilution, false designation of origin and unfair

15

competition.

16

N.

Its Continued Bad-Faith Infringement of Hersheys Trademark Rights

17
18

Defendants Breach of Its Agreement With Hershey and

124.

It has come to Hersheys attention that defendant either never stopped

19

or has resumed its infringing activity, in violation of its promises to Hershey to stop

20

such activity. Defendants actions, as described below, indicate that it pursued such

21

infringing activity in bad faith and in willful disregard of Hersheys trademark

22

rights.

23

125.

Prior to January 2013, defendants seasonal catalogs were available on

24

its website (www.lbbimports.com) for download by the general public. Indeed,

25

Hershey attached pages from defendants Spring & Summer 2013 catalog in its

26

initial letter to defendant dated December 19, 2012.

27
28
27
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 28 of 38 Page ID #:28

126.

Sometime between January 2013 and August 2013, after receiving

Hersheys December 19, 2012 letter, defendant made changes to its website so that

only users with login credentials are able to download defendants seasonal catalogs.

127.

On information and belief, defendant modified its website specifically

to prevent Hershey from monitoring defendants compliance with its agreement to

stop selling the Infringing Products in the United States.

128.

After defendant agreed to stop selling the Infringing Products in the

United States, it posted an Easter 2014 catalog to its website. However, because

Hersheys counsel lacked login credentials, Hershey was unable to monitor

10
11

defendants compliance with the parties agreement.


129.

Hershey recently obtained an electronic copy of defendants Holiday

12

Catalog 2014. The metadata for the document suggests that it was created on or

13

about June 18, 2014approximately 18 months after Hershey first objected to the

14

sale of the Infringing Products and more than 10 months after defendant agreed to

15

stop such sales.

16

130.

In clear breach of its agreement with Hershey, defendants Holiday

17

Catalog 2014 contains page after page of advertisements for imported CADBURY,

18

MALTESERS, KIT KAT and ROLO productsthe same products that defendant

19

promised to stop importing and selling in the United States. Copies of excerpts from

20

the catalog are attached as Exhibit N.

21

131.

In addition, defendants website continues to advertise imported

22

TOFFEE CRISP, YORKIE, KIT KAT and ROLO products, despite defendants

23

agreement more than a year ago to stop selling such products. A copy of the

24

Confectionary page from defendants website is attached as Exhibit O.

25
26
27
28
28
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 29 of 38 Page ID #:29

FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF

Infringement of Federally Registered Marks

Under Section 32 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114

4
5
6

132.

Plaintiffs repeat and reallege paragraphs 1 through 131 of this

complaint as if fully set forth herein.


133.

This claim is for the infringement of trademarks registered in the United

States Patent and Trademark Office, pursuant to Section 32 of the Lanham Act, 15

U.S.C. 1114, as amended.

134.

The marks used by defendant, as described above, are confusingly

10

similar to, and are colorable imitations of, the federally registered REESES Orange

11

Mark (Reg. No. 2,256,226), the federally registered elements of the REESES Trade

12

Dress (Reg. No. 925,609; 3,631,320; 4,082,204; 4,082,215; 4,082,217; 4,093,052;

13

4,101,179; 4,120,422; 4,152,566; 4,155,499; 4,256, 316; and 4,330,229); the

14

federally registered YORK mark (Reg. Nos. 564,557 and 1,644,557), the federally

15

registered MALTESER mark (Reg. Nos. 761,679 and 1,923,905), the federally

16

registered CADBURY mark; (Reg. Nos. 65,081; 230,468; 977,811; and 1,107,458);

17

the federally registered CARAMELLO mark (Reg. Nos. 771,569 and 2,962,010);

18

the federally registered DAIRY MILK mark (Reg. Nos. 1,403,327; 2,942,301; and

19

4,224,494); the federally registered glass and a half design mark (Reg. No.

20

1,460,259); the federally registered KIT KAT mark (Reg. Nos. 1,022,181 and

21

1,535,582); and the federally registered ROLO mark (Reg. Nos. 3,365,435 and

22

363,472), and infringe those respective federally registered trademarks.

23

135.

Defendants unauthorized use of the aforementioned marks is likely to

24

cause confusion and mistake and to deceive the public as to the approval,

25

sponsorship, license, source or origin of defendants products.

26
27

136.

On information and belief, defendants acts of trademark infringement

have been done willfully and deliberately, and defendant has profited and been

28
29
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 30 of 38 Page ID #:30

unjustly enriched by sales that defendant would not otherwise have made but for its

unlawful conduct.

137.

Defendants willful and deliberate acts described above have caused

injury and damages to plaintiffs, and have caused irreparable injury to plaintiffs

goodwill and reputation, and, unless enjoined, will cause further irreparable injury,

whereby plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law.

SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF

Trademark and Trade Dress Infringement,

False Designation of Origin and Unfair Competition

10

Under Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)

11
12
13

138.

Plaintiffs repeat and reallege paragraphs 1 through 137 of this

complaint as if fully set forth herein.


139.

This claim is for trademark and trade dress infringement, false

14

designation of origin, and unfair competition in violation of Section 43(a) of the

15

Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a).

16

140.

By its unauthorized use of the marks and trade dresses described above,

17

defendant has (i) infringed the REESES Orange Mark, the REESES Trade Dress,

18

the YORK mark, the MALTESER mark, the CADBURY mark, the CADBURY

19

Trade Dress, the KIT KAT mark, the KIT KAT Trade Dress, the ROLO mark and

20

the ROLO Trade Dress; (ii) falsely designated the origin of its products; and

21

(iii) competed unfairly with plaintiffs, all in violation of Section 43(a) of the Lanham

22

Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a).

23

141.

On information and belief, defendants acts of trademark infringement,

24

trade dress infringement, false designation of origin and unfair competition have

25

been done willfully and deliberately, and defendant has profited and been unjustly

26

enriched by sales that it would not otherwise have made but for its unlawful conduct.

27
28

142.

Defendants willful and deliberate acts described above have caused

injury and damages to plaintiffs, and have caused irreparable injury to plaintiffs
30
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 31 of 38 Page ID #:31

goodwill and reputation, and, unless enjoined, will cause further irreparable injury,

whereby plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law.

THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF

Trademark and Trade Dress Dilution

Under Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(c)

6
7
8
9
10

143.

Plaintiffs repeat and reallege paragraphs 1 through 142 of this

complaint as if fully set forth herein.


144.

This claim is for the dilution of trademarks and trade dress, pursuant to

Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(c).


145.

The REESES Orange Mark, the REESES Trade Dress, the YORK

11

mark, the CADBURY mark, the CADBURY Trade Dress, the KIT KAT mark, the

12

KIT KAT Trade Dress, the ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade Dress are each

13

distinctive and famous within the meaning of Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15

14

U.S.C. 1125(c), and were distinctive and famous prior to the date of defendants

15

conduct challenged herein.

16

146.

Defendants conduct, as described above, is likely to dilute and is

17

diluting the distinctive quality of the famous REESES Orange Mark, REESES

18

Trade Dress, YORK mark, CADBURY mark, CADBURY Trade Dress, KIT KAT

19

mark, KIT KAT Trade Dress, ROLO mark and ROLO Trade Dress, in that

20

defendants challenged marks are likely to create and have created an association

21

between defendants marks and the famous REESES Orange Mark, REESES

22

Trade Dress, YORK mark, CADBURY mark, CADBURY Trade Dress, KIT KAT

23

mark, KIT KAT Trade Dress, ROLO mark and ROLO Trade Dress, which impairs

24

the distinctiveness of those famous marks and lessens the capacity of those famous

25

marks to identify and distinguish products marketed and sold by plaintiffs under

26

those marks.

27
28

147.

On information and belief, defendants acts of trademark dilution have

been done willfully and deliberately and defendant has profited and been unjustly
31
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 32 of 38 Page ID #:32

enriched by sales that defendant would not otherwise have made but for its unlawful

conduct.

148.

Defendants willful and deliberate acts described above have caused

injury and damages to plaintiffs, and have caused irreparable injury to plaintiffs

goodwill and reputation, and, unless enjoined, will cause further irreparable injury,

whereby plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law.

FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF

Trademark and Trade Dress Dilution

Under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 14247

10
11
12
13
14

149.

Plaintiffs repeat and reallege paragraphs 1 through 148 of this

complaint as if fully set forth herein.


150.

This claim is for dilution of trademarks and injury to business or

reputation under section 14247 of the California Business and Professions Code.
151.

The REESES Orange Mark, the REESES Trade Dress, the YORK

15

mark, the CADBURY mark, the CADBURY Trade Dress, the KIT KAT mark, the

16

KIT KAT Trade Dress, the ROLO mark and the ROLO Trade Dress are each famous

17

marks in the State of California within the meaning of section 14247 of the

18

California Business and Professions Code, and were famous prior to the date of

19

defendants adoption and use of similar designs on packages and in advertising for

20

its candy products.

21

152.

Defendants conduct, as described above, is diluting and will dilute the

22

distinctive quality of Hersheys famous REESES Orange Mark, REESES Trade

23

Dress, YORK mark, CADBURY mark, CADBURY Trade Dress, KIT KAT mark,

24

KIT KAT Trade Dress, ROLO mark and ROLO Trade Dress, thereby lessening the

25

capacity of those marks to identify and distinguish products marketed and sold by

26

plaintiffs under those marks.

27
28

153.

On information and belief, defendants acts of trademark dilution have

been done willfully and deliberately and defendant has profited and been unjustly
32
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 33 of 38 Page ID #:33

enriched by sales that defendant would not otherwise have made but for its unlawful

conduct.

154.

Defendants acts described above have caused injury and damages to

plaintiffs, and have caused irreparable injury to plaintiffs goodwill and reputation

and, unless enjoined, will cause further irreparable injury, whereby plaintiffs have no

adequate remedy at law.

FIFTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF

Common Law Trademark Infringement and Unfair Competition

9
10
11
12
13

155.

Plaintiffs repeat and reallege paragraphs 1 through 154 of this

complaint as if fully set forth herein.


156.

This claim is for trademark infringement and unfair competition in

violation of the common law of the State of California.


157.

Defendants use of its infringing marks and trade dress, as described

14

above, constitutes common law trademark infringement, passing off, and unfair

15

competition in violation of common law.

16

158.

On information and belief, defendants acts of common law trademark

17

infringement, passing off, and unfair competition have been done willfully and

18

deliberately, and defendant has profited and been unjustly enriched by sales that

19

defendant would not otherwise have made but for its unlawful conduct.

20

159.

Defendants willful and deliberate acts described above have caused

21

injury and damages to plaintiffs and have caused irreparable injury to plaintiffs

22

goodwill and reputation, and, unless enjoined, will cause further irreparable injury,

23

whereby plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law.

24

SIXTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF

25

Breach of Contract and Promissory Estoppel

26
27

160.

Plaintiffs repeat and reallege paragraphs 1 through 159 of this

complaint as if fully set forth herein.

28
33
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 34 of 38 Page ID #:34

1
2
3

161.

This claim is for breach of contract and promissory estoppel in violation

of the common law of the State of California.


162.

As set forth above, defendant agreed in writing with Hershey to cease

its importation and sale in the United States of TOFFEE CRISP, YORKIE,

MALTESERS, CADBURY, KIT KAT and ROLO products that are manufactured

outside of the United States by entities other than Hershey and that are not

authorized by Hershey for sale within the United States. In consideration for

defendants promise, Hershey did not pursue its prior claims against defendant for

trademark and trade dress infringement, trademark and trade dress dilution, unfair

10
11

competition and other violations of Hersheys rights.


163.

Pursuant to defendants written promises in August 2013, defendant

12

was legally and contractually bound to refrain from importing and selling in the

13

United States of TOFFEE CRISP, YORKIE, MALTESERS, CADBURY, KIT KAT

14

and ROLO products that are manufactured outside of the United States by entities

15

other than Hershey.

16

164.

Defendant breached its obligations under the parties agreement by

17

continuing or resuming its importation and sale in the United States of TOFFEE

18

CRISP, YORKIE, MALTESERS, CADBURY, KIT KAT and ROLO products that

19

are manufactured outside of the United States by entities other than Hershey.

20
21
22

165.

Plaintiffs have fully performed all of their obligations under the parties

agreement.
166.

Defendants acts described above have caused injury and damages to

23

plaintiffs, and have caused irreparable injury to plaintiffs goodwill and reputation

24

and, unless enjoined, will cause further irreparable injury, whereby plaintiffs have no

25

adequate remedy at law

26

PRAYER FOR RELIEF


WHEREFORE, Hershey prays that this Court enter judgment against defendant as
follows:

27
28

A.

Granting preliminary and permanent injunctive relief restraining


34
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 35 of 38 Page ID #:35

defendant, its officers, directors, agents, employees, servants, attorneys, successors,

assigns and others controlling, controlled by or affiliated with defendant and all

those in privity or active concert or participation with any of the foregoing

(including without limitation each importer, distributor or reseller of defendants

products), and all those who receive actual notice by personal service or otherwise:

i.

from using in any media, for any purpose (including, without

limitation, importing, distributing, advertising or selling), (a) the

REESES Trade Dress, the REESES Orange Mark, the

TOFFEE CRISP trade dress, or any other mark or trade dress

10

confusingly similar to or dilutive of the REESES Trade Dress

11

or the REESES Orange Mark; (b) the YORK mark, the

12

YORKIE mark, or any other mark confusingly similar to or

13

dilutive of the YORK mark; (c) the MALTESER mark, the

14

MALTESERS mark or any other mark confusingly similar to

15

the MALTESER mark; (d) the CADBURY mark, the

16

CADBURY Trade Dress, the CARAMELLO mark, the DAIRY

17

MILK mark or any other mark or trade dress confusingly similar

18

to or dilutive of the CADBURY mark, the CADBURY Trade

19

Dress, the CARAMELLO mark or the DAIRY MILK mark; (e)

20

the KIT KAT mark, the KIT KAT Trade Dress, or any other

21

mark or trade dress confusingly similar to or dilutive of the KIT

22

KAT mark or the KIT KAT Trade Dress; or (f) the ROLO mark,

23

the ROLO Trade Dress, or any other mark or trade dress

24

confusingly similar to or dilutive of the ROLO mark or the

25

ROLO Trade Dress; except in connection with genuine

26

REESES, YORK, MALTESER, CADBURY, KIT KAT or

27

ROLO products manufactured or authorized by Hershey for sale

28

in the United States; and


35
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 36 of 38 Page ID #:36

ii.

B.

from otherwise competing unfairly with plaintiffs;

Ordering that defendant be adjudged to have violated Sections 32,

43(a), and 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114, 1125(a), and 1125(c), to

have caused trademark dilution and business injury in violation of Section 14257 of

the California Business and Professions Code, to have committed acts of common-

law trademark infringement and unfair competition, and to have breached its

contract with plaintiffs;

8
9

C.

Ordering an accounting of all gains, profits, savings and advantages

realized by defendant from its aforesaid acts of trademark and trade dress

10

infringement, trademark and trade dress dilution, false designation of origin, and

11

unfair competition, and awarding treble profits pursuant to Section 35(a) of the

12

Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1117(a), on the ground that defendant engaged in its

13

wrongful acts with knowledge or bad faith or under other circumstances warranting

14

treble profits;

15

D.

Awarding such damages as plaintiff shall establish in consequence of

16

defendants aforesaid acts of trademark and trade dress infringement, trademark and

17

trade dress dilution, false designation of origin, and unfair competition, together

18

with appropriate interest thereon, including three times the amount found as actual

19

damages by the trier of fact to properly compensate plaintiff for its damages,

20

pursuant to Section 35(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1117(a), and Section

21

14247 and 14250 of the California Business and Professions Code.

22

E.

Ordering defendant to pay for and cause to be disseminated corrective

23

advertising to ameliorate the adverse consequences of defendants acts of trademark

24

infringement and dilution, false designation of origin and unfair competition, the

25

content, nature, form and extent of which is to be approved by plaintiff and this

26

Court;

27
28

F.

Ordering defendant to recall from all chains of distribution all goods,

product packaging, product displays, promotional materials, advertisements,


36
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 37 of 38 Page ID #:37

commercials, infomercials and other items, the dissemination by defendant of

which would violate the injunction herein requested;

G.

Ordering defendant to deliver up for destruction any and all goods,

product packaging, product displays, promotional materials, advertisements,

commercials and other items in the possession, custody or control of defendant

which, if sold, displayed, or used, would violate the injunction herein granted, and

to disable all websites to the extent they contain any content, the display or use of

which would violate the injunction herein requested;

H.

Ordering defendant to pay for and cause to be disseminated to each

10

distributor and reseller of defendants candy products a notice advising said persons

11

of defendants acts of trademark infringement and dilution, false designation of

12

origin, unfair competition and breach of contract, and advising of the issuance and

13

content of the injunction herein requested;

14

I.

Ordering that, pursuant to Section 34(a) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.

15

1116(a), defendant shall serve upon plaintiff within thirty (30) days after service

16

on defendant of an order granting an injunction, or such extended period as the

17

Court may direct, a report in writing under oath setting forth in detail the manner

18

and form in which defendant has complied with the injunction;

19

J.

Awarding plaintiff its costs and expenses of this action;

20

K.

Declaring that this is an exceptional case pursuant to Section 35 of the

21

Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1117, because of the willful and deliberate nature of

22

defendants acts of trademark and trade dress infringement, trademark and trade

23

dress dilution, false designation of origin, and unfair competition, and awarding

24

plaintiff its reasonable attorneys fees;

25

L.

Awarding plaintiff punitive damages in an amount to be determined by

26

the trier of fact for defendants willful and knowing trademark infringement and

27

unfair competition, pursuant to the common law; and

28

M.

Granting such other and further relief as this Court may deem just and
37
COMPLAINT

Case 2:15-cv-00734-CAS-JEM Document 1 Filed 02/02/15 Page 38 of 38 Page ID #:38

proper.
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL

2
3
4

Plaintiffs hereby demand a trial by jury on all triable issues.


Dated: February 2, 2015

KAYE SCHOLER, LLP

5
6
7
8
9
10

By: /s/ Robert Barnes


Robert Barnes (State Bar No. 119515)
robert.barnes@kayescholer.com
1999 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600
Los Angeles, California 90067-6048
Telephone: (310) 788-1000
Facsimile: (310) 788-1200

11
12
13

Attorneys for Plaintiffs The Hershey


Company and Hershey Chocolate &
Confectionery Corporation

14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
38
COMPLAINT

You might also like