LOS ANGELES – Jeffer, Mangels, Butler & Marmaro LLP (JMBM), one of California’s foremost full-service law firms, is pleased to announce that it obtained a summary judgment ruling from the United States District Court in Los Angeles on behalf of its client Evan Townsley, owner of International Growers, Hydroasis and Deau Passe, in connection with his brand PHAT HYDRO.
The Court ruled that Supply Net and Fume-Lok’s use of the mark PHAT Filter infringed Mr. Townsley’s rights in his brand.
"Mr. Townsley has worked for almost 20 years developing his PHAT HYDRO and PHAT marks in the indoor gardening and hydroponics industry, and we are pleased that the Court has recognized his national rights in his brand," said Rod Berman, lead counsel for Mr. Townsley and Chairman of JMBM’s Intellectual Property Department.
In rendering its decision the Court stated: "Plaintiff’s [Townsley’s] marks are valid, as a matter of law" and that they are "strong" marks.
"I have worked my adult lifetime building the PHAT brand and I intend to vigorously enforce my rights against any company that has misappropriated the PHAT brand anywhere in the world," said Mr. Townsley.
JMBM’s Intellectual Property Group handles patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade dress, trade secrets and related licensing and litigation. The attorneys in JMBM’s IP Group have extensive experience in matters spanning the industrial spectrum, from apparel and cosmetics to industrial machinery, pharmaceuticals and digital media content.
International Grower’s Supply, Inc. is a U.S. based company specializing in manufacturing products for the hydroponic industry world wide with clients on three continents. International Grower’s is the OEM manufacturer of the Deau Passe Filter product line including both pelletized charcoal carbon filters and Charcoal Fiber filters, the Mister Clone brand of plastic drain and hose fittings and many more. International Grower’s supplies all three dominant hydroponic wholesalers in the US market and several suppliers in the European & Canadian markets.