LOS ANGELES – Global Truss America LLC has filed suit against GLP German Light Products and Mark Ravenhill, President of GLP US Inc., alleging trademark infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair business practices and other violations of the Lanham Act. Global Truss accused German Light Products of falsely stating that it is "an authorized distributor of Global Truss products in the United States and falsely stating that Mr. George Lee is the CEO of Global Truss" and wrongfully "implying that Global Truss is the source of the products that GLP is advertising, distributing, offering for sale and/or selling."
The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on Jan. 6, 2011. Global Truss America LLC is seeking monetary damages and attorney fees in its suit, as well as injunctive relief to restrain the defendants, and anyone with whom they work to import and distribute their products, from using the "Global Truss" name and trademarks.
The suit is also asking that all products bearing the disputed "Global Truss" mark, imported and advertised by German Light Products, be destroyed. "Global Truss is always open to competition," said Sherman, "but when a competitor deliberately attempts to create confusion and makes false statements about representing our client's brand, we have no choice but to act aggressively to protect our client's brand and the public interest."
PLSN was notified of the allegations in a press release, which was also posted on the Global Truss website, globaltruss.com, listing a Santa Monica, CA-based law firm, Myers Andras Sherman & Zarrabian LLP, as a point of contact. Calls to Global Truss were deferred to the legal firm, and a phone call to the firm was not returned by presstime, but a Global Truss spokesman was able to confirm that the legal action was still pending as of Jan. 17.
GLP US Inc.'s Ravenhill, reached separately via e-mail, declined comment on the matter.
