`ESTTA238322
`ESTTA Tracking number:
`09/23/2008
`
`Filing date:
`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`91184143
`Plaintiff
`ANTHONY P. SCHMIDT
`RICHARD S. ROSS, ESQ.
`SUITE 237
`4801 SOUTH UNIVERSITY DRIVE
`FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33328
`UNITED STATES
`prodp@ix.netcom.com
`Motion to Suspend for Civil Action
`RICHARD S. ROSS, ESQ.
`prodp@ix.netcom.com
`/richard ross/
`09/23/2008
`opp3.ts.pdf ( 2 pages )(40135 bytes )
`Schmidt Complaint.pdf ( 12 pages )(443634 bytes )
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`Proceeding
`Party
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`Correspondence
`Address
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`Submission
`Filer's Name
`Filer's e-mail
`Signature
`Date
`Attachments
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`IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE TRADEMARK TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`ANTHONY P. SCHMIDT, JR.
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`Opposer,
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`V.
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`VERSACOMP, INC.
`
`Applicant.
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`Opposition No. 91184143
`Opposition No. 91185234
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`OPPOSER’S MOTION TO SUSPEND PROCEEDINGS PENDING OUTCOME OF
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`
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`ANOTHER PROCEEDING OR ALTERNATIVELY TO RESET CONFERENCING
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`DISCOVERY DISCLOSURE AND TRIAL DATES
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`Commissioner for Trademarks
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`P.O. Box 1451
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`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1451
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`COMES NOW,
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`the Opposer, ANTHONY P. SCHMIDT (“Schmidt”), who
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`respectfully moves this Board for an order suspending the present proceedings pending the outcome
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`of the parties’ federal district court civil action regarding issues in common with those here, in
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`Anthony P. Schmidt, Jr. v. Versacomp, Inc., et al., Case No. 08-60084-CIV-JORDAN (S.D. Fla.
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`2008)(“Action”). TBMP §510.02(a). See 37 C.F.R. §2.117(a). See also General Motors Corp. v.
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`Cadillac Club Fashions, Inc. , 22 U.S.P.Q. 2d 1933 (TTAB 1992). Attached to this motion is a copy
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`of the complaint in the Action. (Exhibits omitted). To the extent the Board decides not to suspend
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`proceedings, Schmidt alternatively moves that it reset conferencing, discovery, disclosure and trial
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`dates. Counsel have conferred regarding the substance of this motion, and as of the present date,
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`Applicant has not decided whether it will oppose the motion
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`WHEREFORE, Schmidt respectfully moves for an order granting this motion, and
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`
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`suspending proceedings pending the outcome of the Action.
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`Respectfully submitted,
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`By:
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`s/Richard S. Ross, Esg.
`RICHARD S. ROSS, ESQ.
`Attorney for Opposer Anthony P. Schmidt, Jr.
`Atrium Centre
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`4801 South University Drive
`Suite 237
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`Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33328
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`Tel (954)252-9110
`Fax (954) 252-9192
`rod /fi1‘iX.flfi3iC0TE,.COITI
`E mail
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`CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
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`I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing has been served
`this 23“ day of September, 2008 to counsel for Applicant by First Class United States Postal Service
`Mail addressed as follows:
`
`Daniel S. Polley, Esq.
`DANIEL S. POLLEY, P.A.
`l2l5 E. Broward Blvd.
`
`Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301-2133
`
`s/Richard S. Ross, Esg.
`RICHARD S. ROSS, ESQ.
`
`
`
`
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`UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
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`SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
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` CASE NO.
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`Ull/-ZLGCH
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`ANTHONY P. SCHMIDT, JR.,
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`Plaintiff,
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`VERSACOMP, INC. d/b/a
`TNT LIFT SYSTEMS, a Florida corporation;
`and RICHARD ULRICH,
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`Defendants.
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`/
`
`
`
`
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`COMPLAINT FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT FALSE DESIGNATION OF
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`ORIGIN UNFAIR COMPETITION BREACH OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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`CANCELLATION OF FLORIDA STATE TRADEMARK/SERVICE MARK
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`REGISTRATIONS AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
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`PlaintiffANTHONY P. SCHMIDT, JR, (hereinafter “Plaintiff” or “Schmidt”), by his
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`attorney, as and for his Complaint, sues Defendants VERSACOMP, INC. d/b/a TNT LIFT
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`SYSTEMS, a Florida corporation; and RICHARD ULRICH (collectively “Defendants”), and alleges
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`and avers as follows:
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`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
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`1 .
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`This is a complaint for federal trademark infringement, and false designation oforigin arising
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`under §§ 32 and 43 of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1114(1) and 1 125(a), respectively, for Florida
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`unfair competition, for breach of a settlement agreement, and for cancellation of two Florida
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`Department of State trademark/service mark registrations.
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`2.
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`This Court has original subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
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`l338(a) and 15 U.S.C. § 1 121. This Court has related supplemental claim jurisdiction over the state
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`
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`law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1338(b) and 28 U.S.C. § 1367. This court has retained subject
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`matter jurisdiction over the breach of settlement agreement claim by virtue of its Order [DE 59] in
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`Schmidt v. Versacomp, et al., Case No. 05-61593-CIV—JORDAN.
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`3.
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`Venue is proper in this district under 28 U.S.C. §139l(b) and (c) because a substantial part
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`of the events or omissions giving rise to the claims occurred and occur in this district, and the
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`Defendants regularly conduct business in this district.
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`THE PARTIES
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`4.
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`The Plaintiff, ANTHONY P. SCHMIDT, JR., is an individual domiciled in the state of
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`Michigan and a resident of the state of Florida, and is a citizen of the United States of America.
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`5.
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`The Defendant, VERSACOMP, INC. d/b/a TNT LIFT SYSTEMS, is a corporation organized
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`under the laws of the state of Florida, with a principal place of business address in Ft. Lauderdale,
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`Florida. Upon information and belief, Versacomp, Inc. is engaged in the business of manufacturing
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`and selling marine accessories, including boat lifting devices, throughout the United States including
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`this district.
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`6.
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`The Defendant, RICHARD ULRICH, upon information and belief,
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`is the president, a
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`director, and the majority shareholder of Defendant Versacomp, Inc.
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`FACTUAL BACKGROUND
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`7.
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`8.
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`Schmidt is an entrepreneur and inventor.
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`Schmidt is the owner of all substantial right, title and interest in and to a number of United
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`States patents, including, but not limited to U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,606 (“the ‘606 patent”) which issued
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`on April 13, 1996. The ‘606 patent is directed to a vehicle lift for a boat. More specifically, the lift
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`is attached to the transom of a large boat or yacht and is power operated to raise or lower a lift
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`platform into and out of the water. The lift is used as a swim platform, or a platform onto which a
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`personal water craft or dinghy is secured.
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`9.
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`Prior to the invention ofthe ‘606 patented device, Schmidt, in 1988, incorporated a business
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`in Florida, with a principal place ofbusiness located in this district, for the purpose ofmanufacturing
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`and selling boat lifting devices. This company was called TNT MARINE ENTERPRISES, INC.
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`In 1994, Schmidt continued manufacturing and selling boat lifting devices under the corporate name
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`and service mark TNT MARINE EQUIPMENT, INC.
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`In 2000, Schmidt sold TNT MARINE
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`EQUIPMENT, INC. to a third party, and retained a security interest in his patents, including the ‘606
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`patent. The third party continued to operate TNT MARINE EQUIPMENT, INC. as a manufacturer
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`and seller ofboat lifting devices. In 2000, the third party defaulted, and in 2005, Schmidt ultimately
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`recovered ownership in his patents, including the ‘606 patent, and also recovered the right to sue for
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`past infringements thereof.
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`10.
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`In 2001, VERSACOMP, at the direction of ULRICH, began doing business as TNT LIFT
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`SYSTEMS. The Defendants, as TNT LIFT SYSTEMS, began manufacturing and selling boat lifting
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`devices referred to as TNT lifts or TNT LIFT SYSTEMS. At the time the Defendants adopted the
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`TNT and TNT LIFT SYSTEMS marks, they knew that Schmidt’s buyer, the third party, was still
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`actively using Schmidt’s TNT mark on boat lifting devices.
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`11.
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`In 2005, Schmidt alleged that the Defendants infringed the ‘606 patent. Schmidt enforced
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`the ‘606 patent by bringing suit for patent infringement against the Defendants before this court in
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`Schmidt v. Versacomp, et al., Case No. 05-61593-CIV-JORDAN (“Schmidt 1”). Schmidt I was
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`resolved by settlement agreement. Exhibit A. The court retained jurisdiction to enforce the terms
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`of the settlement agreement. Exhibit B.
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`12.
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`In March, 2006, Schmidt recommenced his business under his original TNT MARINE
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`ENTERPRISES, INC. name and began again to manufacture and sell boat lifting devices under his
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`TNT mark, including boat lifts incorporating one or more of the claims of the ‘606 patent.
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`13.
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`On December 5, 2007, Schmidt became owner, by assignment, of the federal trademark
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`registration TNT, for vehicle lifts, U.S. Reg. No. 0818635. The first use in commerce of the United
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`States of the registered NT mark commenced at least as early as 1965. Exhibit C, attached, is a copy
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`of the TNT federal certificate of trademark registration. The assignment, Exhibit D, of the federal
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`TNT trademark registration to Schmidt includes the right of Schmidt to sue for past infringements.
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`14.
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`U.S. Reg. No. 0818635 is valid, subsisting, and incontestible.
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`15.
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`On December 27, 2007, Schmidt gave the Defendants notice of his prior, superior rights to
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`the trademark TNT for vehicle lifts, including boat lifts, and requested that they cease and desist
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`from infringing his trademark rights. The Defendants have refused to cease and desist their
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`infringing conduct, and they continue to manufacture and sell boat lifting devices under the marks
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`TNT and TNT LIFT SYSTEMS.
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`16.
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`On March 7, 2007, VERSACOMP filed a United States trademark/service mark application
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`before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) for the mark TNT, U.S. Serial. No.
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`77124511. Exhibit E. The application was signed by ULRICH, in which ULRICH, on behalf of
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`VERSACOMP, falsely declared that VERSACOMP first used the TNT mark on January 1, 1989 for:
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`Transom lifts and parts therefor; hydraulic tenders/transom lifts for marine vessels,
`boats and personal watercrafts; lifts and platforms secured to a transom of a marine
`vessel, boat or personal watercraft; transom platforms and parts therefor; swim
`platforms and parts therefor; installation, repair and maintenance oftransom lifts and
`platforms.
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`
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`The PTO refused the Defendants’ application to register the TNT mark for boat lifts as it concluded
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`that there was a likelihood ofconfusion between the applied for TNT mark, and Schmidt’s registered
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`TNT trademark, U.S. Reg. No. 0818635. Exhibit F.
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`17.
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`On March 7, 2007, VERSACOMP filed a United States trademark/service mark application
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`before the PTO for the mark TNT LIFT SYSTEMS, U.S. Serial. No. 77124487. Exhibit G. The
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`application was signed by ULRICH, and claims the following:
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`Transom lifts and parts therefor; hydraulic tenders/transom lifts for marine vessels,
`boats and personal watercrafts; lifts and platforms secured to a transom of a marine
`vessel, boat or personal watercraft; transom platforms and parts therefor; swim
`platforms and parts therefor; installation, repair and maintenance of transom lifts and
`platforms.
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`The PTO refused the Defendants’ application to register the TNT LIFT SYSTEMS mark for boat
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`lifts as it concluded that there was a likelihood of confusion between the applied for TNT LIFT
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`SYSTEMS trademark, and Schmidt’s registered TNT trademark, U.S. Reg. No. 0818635. Exhibit
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`H.
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`18.
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`The Defendants’ use of TNT and TNT LIFT SYSTEMS for the goods and services identified
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`in its PTO applications constitutes the use in commerce of a colorable imitation, copy and
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`reproduction of Schmidt’s TNT mark. Upon information and belief, the Defendants’ TNT and TNT
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`LIFT SYSTEMS marks share an identical sight and sound, and a strong similarity of meaning with
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`Schmidt’s TNT registered trademark. The Defendant’s use of TNT and TNT LIFT SYSTEMS for
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`boat lifting devices and parts and service therefore is deceptively and confusingly similar to
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`Schmidt’s long-standing TNT trademark for vehicle lifts.
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`19.
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`The Defendants’ boat lifts are being distributed and sold in the same types of commercial
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`channels and to the same class of purchasers as Schmidt’s boat lifts.
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`20.
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`The Defendants’ use ofTNT and TNT LIFT SYSTEMS is likely to cause confusion, mistake,
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`or deception in the minds of the public in that consumers will believe that there is some association
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`with, relationship or connection to Schmidt where there is none.
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`21.
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`The Defendants’ infringement constitutes a willful and malicious violation of Schmidt’s
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`trademark rights, aimed at preventing Schmidt from continuing to build a business around a mark
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`TNT that he owns, and originated in the marine industry.
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`COUNT I
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`FEDERAL TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT UNDER LANHAM ACT § 32
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`22.
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`Plaintiff repeats and hereby incorporates herein by reference, as though specifically pleaded
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`herein, the allegations of Paragraphs 1 through 21.
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`23.
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`The Defendants’ use ofthe TNT and TNT LIFT SYSTEMS marks comprises an infringement
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`of Schmidt’s registered trademark TNT and is likely to cause confusion, mistake and deception of
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`the public as to the identity and origin of Schmidt’s goods and services, causing irreparable harm to
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`Schmidt for which there is no adequate remedy at law.
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`24.
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`By reason of the foregoing acts, the Defendants are liable to Schmidt for trademark
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`infringement under 15 U.S.C. § lll4.
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`COUNT II
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`FALSE DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN UNDER LANHAM ACT § 43
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`25.
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`Plaintiff repeats and hereby incorporates herein by reference, as though specifically pleaded
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`herein, the allegations of Paragraphs 1 through 21.
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`26.
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`The Defendants’ conduct utilizing the designation TNT and TNT LIFT SYSTEMS
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`constitutes a false designation of origin, and/or a false or misleading description of fact, and/or a
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`
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`false or misleading representation of fact that is likely to cause confusion, cause mistake or to
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`deceive as to the affiliation, connection, or association of the Defendants with the Plaintiff or as to
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`the origin, sponsorship, or approval of the Defendants’ goods and/or services or commercial
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`activities of the Plaintiff.
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`27.
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`By reason of the foregoing acts, the Defendants are liable to Schmidt under 15 U.S.C. §
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`1125(a).
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`COUNT III
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`COMMON LAW UNFAIR COMPETITION
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`28.
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`Plaintiff repeats and hereby incorporates herein by reference, as though specifically pleaded
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`herein, the allegations of Paragraphs 1 through 21.
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`29.
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`The aforesaid conduct ofthe Defendants has been willful, wanton, and malicious supportive
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`of Plaintiff’ s claim for punitive damages, which is specifically pled herein.
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`30.
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`By reason of the foregoing acts, the Defendants are liable to Schmidt for common law unfair
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`competition under the laws of the state of Florida.
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`COUNT IV
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`BREACH OF SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
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`31.
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`Plaintiff repeats and hereby incorporates herein by reference, as though specifically pleaded
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`herein, the allegations of Paragraphs 1 through 21.
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`32.
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`In the settlement agreement reached in Schmidt 1, Exhibit A, the Defendants agreed to pay
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`Schmidt $50,000 for past infringement of the ‘606 patent. The Defendants further agreed not to
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`infringe the ‘606 patent in the future, provided that if Defendants made, used, offered to sell, or sold
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`boat lifts incorporating the ‘606 patented invention to Bullware Yachts or Nordic Tug,
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`the
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`
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`Defendants would be obligated to pay Schmidt a license fee per boat lift. If the license fee was not
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`paid timely, Schmidt would be entitled to a judgment against the Defendants in Schmidt I for
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`$80,400 less the $50,000 payment made by the Defendants to Schmidt.
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`33.
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`Upon information and belief, the Defendants intentionally and willfully replaced, made, used,
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`offered for sale or sold a boat lift infringing the ‘606 patent subsequent to the date of the settlement
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`agreement in Schmidt I, did not timely pay to Schmidt any license fee, and will continue to infringe
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`unless enjoined by this court.
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`34.
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`By reason of the foregoing acts, the Defendants are in breach of the settlement agreement in
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`Schmidt 1.
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`COUNT V
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`CANCELLATION OF FLORIDA STATE TRADEMARK/SERVICE MARK
`REGISTRATIONS
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`35.
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`Plaintiff repeats and hereby incorporates herein by reference, as though specifically pleaded
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`herein, the allegations of Paragraphs 1 through 21.
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`36.
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`The Defendants sought to and did apply to register Plaintiffs TNT mark, claiming it as their
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`own, for the following goods/services: Installation, repair and maintenance of transom lifts &
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`platforms, transom lifts and parts thereof, hydraulic tenders/transom lifts, etc., with the Florida
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`Department of State.
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`37.
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`In their application, the Defendants falsely or fraudulently declared or represented to the
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`Florida Department of State that they first used the TNT mark for the stated goods/services anywhere
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`on January 1, 1989, and first used the TNT mark in Florida on January 1, 1989.
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`3 8.
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`Based upon the Defendants’ false or fraudulent declarations or representations, on March 12,
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`2007, the Florida Department of State issued to Defendant Versacomp, Inc. a certificate of
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`trademark/service mark registration, Reg. No. T07000000345 (“the ‘345 registration”) for the mark
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`TNT.
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`39.
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`The Defendants are not the owners of the TNT mark.
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`40.
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`The ‘345 registration was granted improperly.
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`41.
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`The ‘345 registered TNT mark is so similar, as to be likely to cause confusion or mistake or
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`to deceive, to Schmidt’s federally registered TNT mark, U.S. Reg. No. 0818635, which was
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`registered prior to the date of filing of the application for state registration by the Defendants, and
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`which has not been abandoned.
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`42.
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`By reason of the foregoing act regarding the application for the ‘345 registration, the
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`Defendants are liable to Schmidt for punitive or exemplary damages pursuant to Fla. Stat. §495. 1 21.
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`43.
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`The Defendants sought to and did apply to register Plaintiff’ s TNT mark, in the form of TNT
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`LIFT SYSTEMS, claiming it as their own, for the following goods/services: Installation, repair and
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`maintenance of transom lifts & platforms, transom lifts and parts thereof, hydraulic tenders/transom
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`lifts, etc., with the Florida Department of State.
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`44.
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`On March 12, 2007, the Florida Department of State issued to Defendant Versacomp, Inc.
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`a certificate of trademark/service mark registration, Reg. No. T070000O0346 (“the ‘346
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`registration”) for the mark TNT LIFT SYSTEMS.
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`45.
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`The Defendants are not the owners of the TNT LIFT SYSTEMS mark.
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`46.
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`The ‘346 registration was granted improperly.
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`47.
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`The ‘346 registered TNT LIFT SYSTEMS mark is so similar, as to be likely to cause
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`confusion or mistake or to deceive, to Schmidt’s federally registered TNT mark, U.S. Reg. No.
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`
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`0818635, which was registered prior to the date of filing of the application for state registration by
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`the Defendants, and which has not been abandoned.
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`WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays:
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`1.
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`That Defendants, their agents, officers, employees, representatives, successors, assigns,
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`attorneys and all other persons acting for, with, by, through or under authority from each of them,
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`be preliminarily and permanently enjoined from:(a) using Schmidt’s TNT mark depicted in Exhibit
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`C, or any colorable imitation thereof; (b) using any trademark or service mark that imitates or is
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`confusingly similar to or in anyway similar to Schmidt’s TNT mark, or that is likely to cause
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`confusion, mistake, deception, or public misunderstanding as to the origin of Schmidt’s products or
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`services, or their connectedness to Defendants; and (c) from directly or indirectly infringing the ‘606
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`patent.
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`2.
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`That Defendants be required to file with the court and serve on Schmidt within thirty (30)
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`days after entry of the Injunction, a report in writing under oath setting forth in detail the manner and
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`form in which Defendants have complied with the Injunction;
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`3.
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`That, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117, Defendants be held liable for all damages suffered by
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`Schmidt resulting from the acts alleged herein;
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`4.
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`That, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1 1 17, Defendants be compelled to account to Schmidt for any
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`and all profits derived by them from their illegal acts complained of herein;
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`5.
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`That the Defendants be ordered pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1118 to deliver up for destruction
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`all containers, labels, signs, prints, packages, wrappers, receptacles, advertising, promotional
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`material or the like in possession, custody or under the control of Defendants bearing a trademark
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`found to infringe Schmidt’s TNT trademark rights, as well as all plates, matrices, and other means
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`10
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`of making the same;
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`6.
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`That the court declare this to be an exceptional case and award Schmidt his full costs, and
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`reasonable attorneys’ fees pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1117;
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`7.
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`That the court cancel the Florida Department of State certificates of registration, the ‘345
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`registration and the ‘346 registration, pursuant to Fla. Stat. §495.101;
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`8.
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`9.
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`That the court award to Schmidt punitive damages pursuant to Fla. Stat. §495. 121;
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`That the court award to Schmidt pre and post judgment interest;
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`10.
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`That the court grant Cisco any other remedy to which Schmidt may be entitled as provided
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`for in 15 U.S.C. §§ 1116 and 1117 or under state law;
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`11.
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`That all structures, CAD programs, jigs, fixtures, templates, including replacement parts,
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`incorporating Schmidt’s invention under the ‘606 patent made, used, offered for sale, or sold be
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`offered up to Schmidt, destroyed or modified so as to effectively terminate the unauthorized use of
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`Schmidt’s invention in violation of the ‘606 patent or breach of the Schmidt 1 settlement agreement; _
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`12.
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`That the court award to Schmidt treble damages, costs and attorney fees for the settlement
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`agreement breach;
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`13.
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`That the court award to Schmidt all gross profits realized by the Defendants as result of the
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`settlement agreement breach; and,
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`14.
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`That the court award such and other fiarther relief that it deems just and proper.
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`ll
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`Dated:
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`z/Y
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`Respectfully submitted,
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`
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`S. ROSS, ESQ.
`Attorney for Plaintiff Anthony P. Schmidt, Jr.
`Fla. Bar No. 436630
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`Atrium Centre
`
`4801 South University Drive
`Suite 237
`
`Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33328
`Tel 954/252-9110
`
`Fax 954/252-9192
`
`E mail: prodp@ix.netcom.com
`
`12