Tradeshow Competitors in Court Battle over Cybersquatting, Trademark
YNOT – The parent company of the eXXXotica adult consumer shows has sued the corporate parent of rival show Adultcon, claiming the latter is holding 19 domain names in violation of federal cybersquatting and trademark laws.In a lawsuit filed June 29 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Victory Tradeshow Management alleges Live Entertainment registered and redirected all 19 domain names to Adultcon.com in order to create confusion in the marketplace. Victory seeks $1.9 million plus attorneys fees and court costs for intentionally “divert[ing] customers … for commercial gain and with the intent to tarnish or disparage the mark by creating a likelihood of confusion as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation and endorsement of the infringing sites.
“[Adultcon’s] registration and redirection of websites containing [eXXXotica] is a deliberate attempt to trade on [Victory’s] goodwill and the prestige of [its] products and services,” according to the complaint. “[Adultcon’s] conduct has caused, and will continue to cause significant damages, including lost sales and profits and irreparable harm to [Victory].”
eXXXotica shows have occurred four times in Miami and twice New Jersey. The first eXXXotica Los Angeles will occur later this month. Adultcon has produced 18 shows in Los Angeles. It will add Las Vegas to its schedule in November.
According to documents filed with the court, Victory has used the eXXXotica name since March 2006 and obtained a trademark in October 2008. Documents also indicate Live Entertainment registered the allegedly infringing domains in January 2010.
The domain names at issue are Exxxotica-lv.com, ExxxoticaExpo-LA.com, ExxxoticaExpo-LV.com, ExxxoticaExpoLA.com, ExxxoticaExpoLV.com, ExxxoticaLA.com, ExxxoticaLasVegas.com, ExxxoticaLosAngeles.com, Exxxoticalv.com; ExxxoticaVegas.com; ExoticaExpo-LA.com, ExoticaExpo-LV.com, ExoticaExpoLA.com, ExoticaExpoLV.com, ExoticaLA.com, ExoticaLosAngeles.com, ExoticaLV.com, ExoticavaLasVegas.com and ExoticaVegas.com.