A federal judge dealt a blow to Johnson & Johnson's trademark-infringement suit against the American Red Cross. U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff tossed out J&J's claim that the Red Cross had pledged not to engage in commercial activities like licensing the logo to other companies and selling products that might compete with J&J's. The judge also pared back another of J&J's allegations--that the relief organization was interfering with its commercial relationships with Target, Wal-Mart, and other customers.
J&J sued the Red Cross in August over the use of that familiar logo on first-aid kits, medical gloves, and the like, sold by the organization and its partners. The rest of the suit is moving forward, with hearings scheduled early next year.
- check out the Red Cross's release
- read the report from the Boston Globe
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