Bandag sues transport company for trademark infringement

Bridgestone America’s retreading operation is suing a van-transport company for trademark infringement, reports indicate. In a suit filed this week in the US District Court for Middle Tennessee, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions says the newly-designed logo used by Bandago, a California-based company that provides van rentals primarily for touring musical acts, may cause consumer confusion.

The retreading operation has used the “Bandag” name since the 1950s. When Bandago filed its name with the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2003, Bridgestone opposed. The parties reached a settlement in 2010, allowing the Bandago name so long as it was limited to vehicle rental. Bandago created a new logo in 2012 and asked Bandag if it had any objections. The retreader did object, noting that both logos, which use all lower-case letters, feature a “nearly identical ‘tail’ on the ‘g’ that extends to the left under most of the mark.”

Bandag is suing for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, dilution, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and unfair competition.    Tire Review