Intellectual Property Law

Judge Robinson: Keurig's Motion for Preliminary Injunction DENIED

By Karen E. Keller, Andrew A. Lundgren et al.

On March 10, 2011, in Keurig Inc. v. Sturm Foods, Inc., Civ. No. 10-841-SLR (D. Del. Mar. 10, 2011), Judge Robinson issued a memorandum opinion denying Keurig's motion for a preliminary injunction and Sturm Foods's partial motion to dismiss.

Keurig had moved for a preliminary injunction based on its trademark infringement claims, trade dress infringement claims, and false advertising and unfair competition claims. Id. at 7.

Regarding the trademark infringement claims, Judge Robinson determined, based on the current record, the likelihood of confusion in the market by applying a multi-factor test previously adopted by the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (modified for cases involving a nominative fair use defense), finding that the balance of factors favored Sturm Foods. Id. at 14.

Regarding the trade dress infringement claims, Judge Robinson found, based on the current record, that Keurig did not show that the overall look of its products was consistent, which is required for a finding of trade dress infringement. Id. at 17.

Regarding the false advertising and unfair competition claims, Judge Robinson found, based on the current record, that Sturm Foods's statements did not necessarily imply that Sturm Foods's products were of equal quality to Keurig's products, especially given the lower price of Sturm Foods's products. Id. at 19-20. For this and other reasons, Keurig was unable to show a likelihood of success on the merits proving the literal falsity of Sturm Foods's statements. Id. at 20.

Keurig, Inc. v. Sturm Foods, Inc., C.A. No. 10-841-SLR

Full post as published by Delaware IP Law Blog on March 18, 2011 (boomark / email).