TMRoe

1-877-636-MARK (6275) 365 Days a year 7 Days a week FREE CONSULTATION

Chrysler phrase is now the subject of a trademark infringement lawsuit

The Auburn Hills automaker sued the owners of Pure Detroit earlier this month, accusing the retailer of using the automaker's trademarked "Imported from Detroit" tagline on a variety of apparel at Pure Detroit’s shops. Made popular by its Super Bowl XLV advertisement promoting the 2011 Chrysler 200 that featured rapper Eminem, the American car manufacturer has sued a Detroit retailer, Pure Detroit, to stop it from selling t-shirts displaying the phrase.

Chrysler has asked a federal judge to order the Pure Detroit stores not to use the “Imported from Detroit” slogan while the court sorts out a lawsuit filed by the automaker over the three-word tagline. In a motion filed to stop Pure Detroit stores from selling the shirts, Chrysler cited a likelihood that the public would be confused by Pure Detroit’s use of its mark. Chrysler has registered the trademark in a number of classes; most obviously in International Class 12 (motor vehicles), but also in classes 6, 9, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25, 28, 34 and 35—from key chains to eyewear, to video games, to clothing and more. Pure Detroit has responded by claiming that Chrysler cannot trademark a descriptive phrase.

According to a motion filed Friday by Chrysler attorneys, “the issuance of a preliminary injunction will serve the public interest because members of the public likely have been, and will continue to be, confused by Pure Detroit’s use of Chrysler’s mark and related representations.”

The shirts are no longer available on Pure Detroit’s website. So if you are wondering where you can get your hands on an “Imported from Detroit” t-shirt, please contact Chrysler directly.

For more information regarding trademark or copyright please contact us directly.