Beverage-­Packaging Company Files Trademark Infringement, Cyberpiracy Suit Against Former Chair

Gizmo Beverages has filed a lawsuit against its former chair
alleging trademark infringement, cyberpiracy and conversion in
response to his reported refusal to surrender company­-related
domain names and email accounts. Gizmo Beverages, Inc. v. Park,
No. 17­-2037 (C.D. Cal., filed June 14, 2017). Gizmo licenses the
patents for a bottle­-cap closure from another company, but after
defendant Don Park allegedly failed to pay $400,000 for the
licensing agreement, Gizmo removed him from management. Park
registered the domain name “gizmoclosure.com,” one letter
different from Gizmo’s “gizmoclosures.com,” and has continued
using the domain and associated email addresses after leaving the
company. Gizmo seeks an injunction, transfer of all domain
names, damages and attorney’s fees.

Issue 639