Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PooPourri Lawsuit
PooPourri Lawsuit
PooPourri Lawsuit
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Defendant
competing product V.I.Poo and markets it using confusingly similar trademarks and trade
dress. Worse, Defendant slavishly copied Poo~Pourris copyrighted advertising materials,
including its famous Girls Dont Poop video, which was released in 2013, and has now been
viewed over 36 million times on YouTube. Defendant, a distant number two in this market,
hopes to capitalize on Poo~Pourris hard earned success. Such blatant copying of Poo~Pourris
trademarks, trade dress, and advertising materials constitutes unfair competition, passing off,
trademark infringement, and dilution in violation of the LANHAM ACT and Texas law.
Defendants reproduction and distribution of Poo~Pourris copyrighted works constitutes
copyright infringement in violation of Sections 106 and 501 of the COPYRIGHT ACT.
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PARTIES
1.
Plaintiff Poo~Pourri is a limited liability company organized under the laws of the
State of Texas with its principal place of business at 4901 Keller Springs, Suite 106D, Addison,
Texas, 75001.
2.
the laws of Delaware with its principal place of business at 399 Interpace Parkway, Parsippany,
New Jersey, 07054. Defendant may be served by service upon its registered agent for service of
process, Corporation Service Company d/b/a CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company, 211
E. 7th Street, Suite 620, Austin, Texas 78701-3218.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
4.
This action arises under the Trademark Laws of the United States, 15 U.S.C.
1051, et seq, and under the COPYRIGHT ACT, 17 U.S.C. 101, et seq. Accordingly, this Court
has federal question jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action under 28 U.S.C. 1331,
1338(a), and 1338(b), and 15 U.S.C. 1121 for the claims arising under the LANHAM ACT and
COPYRIGHT ACT. The Court has original jurisdiction over the state law claims in this action
under 28 U.S.C. 1367(a) and the principles of supplemental jurisdiction.
5.
business and in fact does substantial business in Texas. Venue is proper under 28 U.S.C.
1391(b) and (c).
FACTS
6.
2006, the founder, Suzanne (Suzy) Batiz, invented her first toilet deodorizing product, in what
came to be called the Poo~Pourri line of products, in her kitchen (the Poo~Pourri Products).
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She developed a proprietary formula made up of a blend of essential oils that creates a protective
barrier or film on the water's surface. This barrier is designed to keep unpleasant bathroom odors
from coming into contact with the air. Ms. Batiz developed unique and never-before used means
to demonstrate how her products worked she partially filled a clear bowl with water and
sprayed the product in so the viewer could actually see how the barrier was created and thus how
her product worked (the Clear Bowl Test). She incorporated this into her first presentation to
the home shopping network QVC in 2007. This unique method is but one part of her commercial
presentation of Poo~Pourri Products by which consumers identify the products as emanating
from Poo~Pourri.
7.
include various animated demonstrations of this concept. The first of these images, shown
below, depicts a cut-away of a toilet, a spray bottle representing the Product, and the spray from
the bottle forming a protective layer on the surface of the water in the toilet. The second of these
images depicts how this protective layer prevents the waste in the toilet and the odors from
penetrating the layer. The protective layer depicted on the surface of the water keeps the air
above it fresh, which is typically shown by flowers, leaves, and other brightly colored images
above the surface of the water.
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8.
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and expense and are protected under the federal COPYRIGHT ACT. Poo~Pourri has registered
these illustrations with the U.S. Copyright Office. See U.S. Registration No. VA-1-961-389
(Spritz Poo 4), effective date of Registration May 12, 2015; U.S. Registration No. VA-1-961390 (Spritz Poo 2), effective date of Registration May 12, 2015; U.S. Registration No. VA-1961-391 (Spritz Poo 1), effective date of Registration May 12, 2015.
9.
distinctive and popular commercial advertisement called Girls Dont Poop. The Girls Dont
Poop
video
advertisement
may
be
found
at
the
following
web
address:
October 28, 2013 (together with the copyrighted works identified above, the Poo~Pourri
Advertising).
10.
This Girls Dont Poop video, like the other copyrighted advertisements
identified above, includes an animation demonstrating how the Poo~Pourri Products work. The
first slide of this animation shows a cut-away of a toilet, the spray of the bottle in the water, and
the formation of a protective layer on the surface of the water. The second slide shows a lump of
PLAINTIFFS ORIGINAL COMPLAINT
4849-1921-2846
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waste below the protective layer on the surface of the water, a foul smell emanating from the
waste, which is depicted by cartoonish odor lines, a number of skull-and-cross-bones, and
radiation symbols. The third slide of the animation shows the same lump of waste falling into
the water, the protective layer blocking the odors, and the release of a burst of pleasant aromas
from the surface of the water, depicted by an animated number of yellow, green, and red flowers
and leaves above the surface of the toilet. The video ends by offering an Unconditional Stink
Free Guarantee, which is shown on the screen as the spokeswoman, a woman with a British
accent, presents the brightly colored, yellow bottle to the camera.
11.
federally registered trademarks, including KING OF THE THRONE, U.S. Registration No.
4286033; LOO POURRI, U.S. Registration No. 3962564; POO POURRI, U.S. Registration No.
3428805; POO POURRI KING OF THE THRONE, U.S. Registration No. 4426602; POO
POURRI QUEEN OF THE THRONE, U.S. Registration No. 4426603; QUEEN OF THE
THRONE, U.S. Registration No. 4286039; ROYAL FLUSH, U.S. Registration No. 3675070;
SPRAY THE LOO BEFORE NO. 2 AND NO ONE WILL EVER HAVE A CLUE, U.S.
Registration No. 4438852; WHEN THE GLASSES CLINK, DONT RUIN THE PARTY WITH
A STINK, U.S. Registration No. 4539946; and, the POO-POURRI Design Marks, U.S.
Registration No. 3576912 and U.S. Registration No. 3678445 (collectively, the Poo~Pourri
Marks).
12.
highly distinctive trade dress, characterized by its use of brightly colored bottles, lemons and
other citrus fruit, the baroque design of its product labels, and its use of scatological humor on its
product labels, website, and its advertising materials.
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prominently feature a toilet surrounded by baroque garland and a cherub; and the Poo~Pourri
Marks and humorous taglines are typically displayed on scrolls of toilet paper both above and
below the toilet found in the center of the label. Poo~Pourris website carries these same
elements, and prominently features lemons and other citrus fruit to convey the impression of
fresh scents. Poo~Pourri has used these elements and other elements in connection with the
marketing and sale of its products for years, and they have acquired distinctiveness, and are
strongly recognized among consumers as indicating the source of these products (the
Poo~Pourri Trade Dress).
13.
The Poo~Pourri Marks, Poo~Pourri Advertising, and Poo~Pourri Trade Dress are
Advertising, and Poo~Pourri Trade Dress are valuable assets to Poo~Pourri. Poo~Pourri has
expended great effort and considerable resources in promoting its Products using the Poo~Pourri
Marks, Advertising, and Trade Dress.
14.
As a result of this widespread and continuous use and promotion, the Poo~Pourri
Marks, Advertising, and Trade Dress have become widely associated with Poo~Pourri; the
Poo~Pourri Marks, Advertising, and Trade Dress identify Poo~Pourri as the source of the goods
offered and represent the valuable goodwill of Poo~Pourri among members of the relevant
consuming public.
recognized by the Good Housekeeping Institute earning the internationally respected Good
Housekeeping Seal. Since 1909, this designation has given consumers peace of mind as a
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testament to a product's quality and is awarded only to goods that have passed rigorous review
and laboratory testing.
15.
Patent and Trademark Office to register the mark V.I.POO, Serial No. 86/813,962, in
International Classes 3 and 5, for among other things, air freshening preparations and toilet bowl
deodorizers. On February 3, 2016, Defendant filed additional applications with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office to register the following trademarks: (a) KING LEMON, Serial No.
86/895,619; (b) PRINCESS ROSE, Serial No. 86/895,634; (c) PRINCE OF MINT, Serial No.
86/895,644; and (d) QUEEN OF FRUITS, Serial No. 86/895,603.
16.
published online videos for these products (the Infringing Advertisements). These videos,
which are available in English, French, and Dutch, may be found on YouTube at the following
web addresses:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN0X4hEx1HQ;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QaSBuqn0bU;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VMuuGCg1iE;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaLePyEkZB0
17.
and copy a number of expressive elements found in Poo~Pourris Advertisements. Among other
things, the Infringing Advertisements slavishly copy the series of animated charts in the
Poo~Pourri Advertisements. For example, and as shown below, the Infringing Advertisements
contain an animated series of charts showing three lumps of waste in a cut-away toilet bowl.
When animated, these charts show the waste, cartoonish lines depicting odor from the waste, the
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protective layer blocking the foul odor, all followed by an animated series of yellow lemons and
green leaves emanating from the toilet.
This same animated series, of course, appears in the Poo~Pourris Girls Dont Poop video, as
well as the other copyrighted works:
18.
into the Infringing Advertisements, all of which are likely to cause confusion regarding the
source or affiliation of Defendant with Poo~Pourri: Poo~Pourri offers an Unconditional Stink
Free Guarantee, and stamps those words on-screen in its Girls Dont Poop video in the same
frame of as an image of the bottle. Defendant offers an Odor Free Guarantee, and like
Poo~Pourri, stamps the guarantee on-screen in the same frame as its product.
19.
In the video, Defendant also uses a brightly colored yellow bottle with baroque
design characteristics on the label and in the advertisement. The label for Defendants product
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features a toilet bowl, surrounded by a garland of toilet paper, similar to the toilet paper featured
on Poo~Pourris products.
mimicking Poo~Pourris product label and its design marks. For example, the first series of
frames in the Infringing Advertisement take place in an ornate bathroom with a cherub sculpture
just above the toilet, which is similar to the design on Poo~Pourris product label:
Later in the Infringing Advertisement, and as shown above, appear a number of animated
lemons. Finally, both Poo~Pourris product labels and Girls Dont Poop video as well as the
Infringing Advertisements use scatological humor and rhyming catch phrases to catch the
consumers attention.
21.
Advertisements, and Trade Dress, and is specifically aware of Poo~Pourris famous Girls Dont
Poop video.
Poo~Pourri is informed and believes that Defendant reproduced and used Poo~Pourris Girls
Dont Poop advertisement to introduce and market its own product, V.I.Poo, to various retailers.
Upon information and belief, Defendant intentionally copied various expressive elements of
Poo~Pourris Girls Dont Poop advertisement to create its own Infringing Advertisements.
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22.
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Defendants use of the Poo~Pourri Marks, Advertising, and Trade Dress in the
Infringing Advertisements and on its product labels is likely to confuse consumers into believing
that its products are made by, sponsored by, connected with, endorsed by or otherwise affiliated
with Poo~Pourri. Further, Defendants use of the Poo~Pourri Marks, Advertising, and Trade
Dress dilutes the strength of Poo~Pourris famous, widely recognized, and distinctive Marks,
Advertising and Trade Dress. This use will substantially harm Poo~Pourris reputation for
quality products. Defendants willful and deceitful acts have and will continue to cause
irreparable harm to Poo~Pourri and its Poo~Pourri Marks.
COUNT ONE
PASSING OFF UNDER THE LANHAM ACT
23.
allegations. Defendants conduct described above constitutes federal passing off under the
LANHAM ACT, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(1).
24.
Defendants actions have been made with full knowledge of Poo~Pourris rights
and with the intent to trade on Poo~Pourris goodwill in its Marks, Advertising, and Trade Dress,
thus making this an exceptional case under 15 U.S.C. 1117(a).
25.
Further, Defendant intended to, and is likely to, lead the public to conclude,
incorrectly, that Defendants products originate from Poo~Pourri to the damage and harm of
Poo~Pourri. Defendants activities constitute passing off, thus entitling Poo~Pourri to damages,
including Defendants profits from the sale of Defendants products depicted in the Infringing
Advertisements.
26.
cause irreparable harm to Poo~Pourri for which Poo~Pourri has no adequate remedy at law for
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relief from Defendants wrongful conduct. Accordingly, Poo~Pourri is entitled to damages and
injunctive relief.
COUNT TWO
UNFAIR COMPETITION AND TRADE DRESS INFRINGEMENT UNDER THE
LANHAM ACT
27.
allegations. Defendants conduct described above constitutes federal unfair competition under
the LANHAM ACT, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(1).
28.
Defendants actions have been with full knowledge of Poo~Pourris rights and
with the intent to trade on Poo~Pourris goodwill, thus making this an exceptional case under
15 U.S.C. 1117(a).
29.
Further, the activities of Defendant are intended to, and are likely to, lead the
cause irreparable harm to Poo~Pourri for which Poo~Pourri has no adequate remedy at law for
relief from Defendants wrongful conduct. Accordingly, Poo~Pourri is entitled to damages and
injunctive relief.
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COUNT THREE
FEDERAL TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT
31.
conduct described above constitutes trademark infringement under the LANHAM ACT,
15 U.S.C. 1114(1).
32.
The acts of Defendant, as set forth above, constitute use in interstate commerce of
reproductions, copies, and/or colorable imitations of the Poo~Pourri Marks through its use of the
similar marks on a similar product being sold through similar channels of trade.
Further,
Defendants use of marks that are confusingly similar to Poo~Pourris federally registered
Marks in connection with similar goods, within this judicial district and elsewhere, is likely to
cause confusion, cause mistake, and to deceive as to the affiliation, connection, and association
of Poo~Pourri with Defendant.
33.
Further, the activities of Defendant are intended to, and are likely to, lead the
public to conclude, incorrectly, that the infringing uses of the Marks described in this Complaint
that are authorized by Poo~Pourri to the damage and harm of Poo~Pourri. Defendants activities
constitute deliberate infringement of the Poo~Pourri Marks in violation of the LANHAM
TRADEMARK ACT, including, but not limited to, 15 U.S.C. 1114(1), entitling Poo~Pourri to
damages.
34.
cause irreparable harm to Poo~Pourri for which Poo~Pourri has no adequate remedy at law for
relief from Defendants wrongful conduct. Accordingly, Poo~Pourri is entitled to damages and
injunctive relief.
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COUNT FOUR
DILUTION UNDER TEXAS BUSINESS & COMMERCE CODE 16.29
35.
Poo~Pourri re-alleges and incorporates by reference all of the preceding facts and
The activities of Defendant have caused and will continue to cause irreparable
harm to Poo~Pourri for which Poo~Pourri has no adequate remedy at law for relief from
Defendants wrongful conduct.
Defendants trebled profits from the sale of V.I.Poo Product depicted in the Infringing
Advertisements, and injunctive relief.
COUNT FIVE
COMMON LAW UNFAIR COMPETITION
37.
Poo~Pourri re-alleges and incorporates by reference all of the preceding facts and
allegations. Defendants actions described above constitute unfair competition under Texas
common law.
38.
Poo~Pourri re-alleges and incorporates by reference all of the preceding facts and
allegations.
40.
Poo~Pourri owns the following copyrighted works: U.S. Registration No. VA-1-
961-389 (Spritz Poo 4), effective date of Registration May 12, 2015; U.S. Registration No.
VA-1-961-390 (Spritz Poo 2), effective date of Registration May 12, 2015; U.S. Registration
PLAINTIFFS ORIGINAL COMPLAINT
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No. VA-1-961-391 (Spritz Poo 1), effective date of Registration May 12, 2015; and U.S.
Registration No. PA-1-867-648 (Girls Dont Poop), effective date of Registration October 28,
2013 (the Copyrighted Works). As the owner of the copyrights in these Works, Poo~Pourri
has the exclusive right to reproduce them, to distribute them, to publish them, to display them,
and to create derivative works based upon them.
41.
and created derivative works based on Poo~Pourris Copyrighted Works, in knowing and willful
violation of Poo~Pourris exclusive rights under the COPYRIGHT ACT, 17 U.S.C. 101, et seq.
42.
threatens irreparable harm to Poo~Pourri, and entitles Poo~Pourri to preliminary and permanent
injunctive relief.
43.
Poo~Pourri has suffered and will continue to suffer damage to its business, including lost sales
and Defendants profits, in an amount yet to be fully determined, and which it is entitled to
recover. In addition, Poo~Pourri is entitled to statutory damages, enhancements of statutory
damages, costs, and attorneys fees.
REMEDIES INCLUDING INJUNCTIVE RELEIF
44.
45.
profits, (2) trebled damages sustained by Poo~Pourri, (3) statutory damages, and (4) the cost of
this action. See 15 U.S.C. 1117; 17 U.S.C. 504-505; TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE 16.104.
46.
Poo~Pourri also is entitled to injunctive relief under federal and state law. See 15
U.S.C. 1116; 17 U.S.C. 502; TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE 16.103(b). More specifically,
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WHEREFORE, Poo~Pourri prays that it have judgment against Defendant for the
following:
(1)
A decree that Defendants use of the Marks, Advertising, and Trade Dress
A decree that Defendant has infringed the Marks, Advertising, and Trade Dress;
(4)
(5)
A decree that the Marks, Advertising, and Trade Dress have been, or will be,
PAGE 15
(6)
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affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, agents, servants, and employees, and those in association with
them, from: (a) using any advertising similar to Poo~Pourris Advertising, including but not
limited to the Infringing Advertisements; (b) reproducing, distributing, publishing, displaying, or
creating derivative works substantially similar to Poo~Pourris Copyrighted Works; or (c) using
Poo~Pourris Marks, Trade Dress, or any other mark or trade dress confusingly similar to the
Marks or Trade Dress in conjunction with toilet or bathroom deodorizers or other similar
products;
(6)
affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, agents, servants, and employees, and those in association with
them from: (a) using any advertising similar to Poo~Pourris Advertising, including but not
limited to the Infringing Advertisements; (b) reproducing, distributing, publishing, displaying, or
creating derivative works substantially similar to Poo~Pourris Copyrighted Works; or (c) using
Poo~Pourris Marks, Trade Dress, or any other marks or trade dress confusingly similar to the
Marks or Trade Dress in conjunction with toilet or bathroom deodorizers or other similar
products;
(7)
(8)
(9)
An award of all costs of this action, including attorneys fees and interest;
(10)
Such other and further relief, at law or in equity, to which Poo~Pourri may be
and
justly entitled.
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March 8, 2016
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Respectfully submitted,
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