s s s s s s s s s

UNITED STATESSOUTHERNDISTRICT O}' TEXAS
HOUSTONDTVISION
s
VincentPaulYoung,Jr. and
VinceYoungInc.
Plaintifts,
s
s
s
s
v.
s
RodneyD, Vann66on,
s
Enos Cabell,
s
Tom Roberson,
s
Thejoint ventureof "Three F iends" s
Defendants,
s
ORIGINALCOMPLAINT
PLAINTIFF'S
JUDGMENT
FOR
DECLARATORY
& REQUEST
PlaintiffsVincentPaulYoung,Jr. andVincentPaulYoungInc,by theirattorneyof
record,fortheircomplaintin this actionallege:
1. Plaintiff,VincentPaulYoung,Jr. (VY) , is an individualwho is a citizenof the
State of Tennessee.and maintainsa businessaddressat
suite
'EXAS77036
ihelaws
zedandexisUng
under
a cotpomtion
organ
Vincent
YoungInc.(VYINC)is
2. Plainiiff,
of lhe state of TEXAS with ils place of business Locatedat
HouslonTEXAS77036.
3. Uponinformation
and belief,Detendant,RodneyVannercon,(RV)an individual
and a citizenof the Stateof Texa6,who residesat
_exas
may be servedthroughhis attorneyof
record Douglass Rommelmanlocated at 600 Travis, Suite 4200,
Houston,Texas77002.
4. Uponinformation
and belief,Defendant,EnosCabell,(EC)an individualand a
citizenof the Stateof Texas,who residesat
, , Texas
5. L,poninformation
and belief,Defendant,
Tom Roberson(TR),an individualand
a citizenofthe Stateof Texas,who residesat
, Texas
6. Defendant,
the JointVeniureofthe "ThreeFriends"(JV)is a jointventuredoing
businessin the Stateof Texas,may be servedwith processthroughits
attorneyof recordDouglasRommelmannlocatedat 600 Travis,Suite
4200,houston,Texas77002
7. The court has subjectmatterjurisdictionto hear this actionunder 15 U.S.C.
and28 U.S.c.SS1331,
1338(a),and 136;
51121(A)
8. Upon informationand belief, this Couri has personaljurisdictionover the
defendants.
judgmentfor deiermination
9. This is an actionfor declaratory
of the parties'rights
in certainlrademarks. The action arises under the LanhamAct, 15
U.S.C.SS1051et seq. the Declaratory
JudgmeniAct, 28 U.S.C.52201,
andthe commonlawofthe Stateof Texas.
10.
Venueis properin thisdistrictunder28 U-S.C.Si 391.
11.
Plaintifi,\ /, js currentlya professional
footballplayerin the National
FootballLeague("NFL")for the TennesseeTitans.
12.
Afterhigh school,Plaintiff,VY, receiveda scholarship
to playfootballfor
the University
of Texas(UT).
Plaintiff,\ /, licensedhis name and likenessto Universityof Texas to
promotetheirentertajnmeni
servicesandfootballprogram.
14.
The licenseof his "nameand likeness"includeshjs proprietary
fjghtsto
hi6nicknames
and his abbreviated
names.
15
UT protectedPlaintiff,VY, "nameand likeness,by sendingcease and
desistlettersto entitiesusingthe name"\ /" and ,INVlNCEABLE'.
16.
Plaintiff,VY, currentlyhas endorsement
contractswhereinhe licensedhjs
nameand likenessto variousentitiesincludingVinceyoung lnc which
includeshis proprietaryrights to his nicknamesand his abbreviated
name. Defendantsnow have knowledgethat plaintiff has several
enoorsement
contracts,
17.
Plaintiff,VY, becamewidelyknownby his nickname,,lnvinceable,,
while
playingfootballatUniversity
of Texas.
18.
Plaintjff,\f/, becamewidelyknownby his abbreviatedname,,Vy"while
playingfootballatthe University
of Texas.
'19.
The abbreviated
name"VY"first cameto the identityof ptaintifi,Vy, the
during his highly publicizedlootballcareer at lvtadisonHigh Schoot.
While at l\,4adison
High School,Vincent paul young Jr. was named
NationalPlayerof the Yearin May 16,200f StudentSport,sMagazine.
20.
The nickname"lnvinceable"
and the abbreviatedname ,Vy" became
turther known to identifyVY during his highty publicizedcollegiate
footballcareerat the University
of Texas(,.UT").
21.
Plaintiff,Vy was named the best coltegefootballplayerof 2005 by
CollegeFootba Newsandwas a HeismanTrcphyfinalistin 2005.
22.
Plaintiff,\ / was featuredon the cover of nationalsportspublications
during his collegiatecareer, includingtwice on the cover of Sporfs
Illustrated.
23.
Plaintiff,\ / led the Universityof Texas, Longhorns,
to a BCS National
Championship
on January4, 2006in the2006 RoseBowlGame.
24
Plaintiff,VY was draftedby the TennesseeTitansin the 2006 NFL Draft
and was namedthe NFL OffensiveRookieof the Yeaf in 2006. Plaintiff,
VY has becomeone of the mo6t recognizable
figuresin professional
footballand was featurcdon the coverof lvadden2008,a video game
producedby BA SportssimulafingNFLfooiball.
25.
Uponinformationand belief,on January5, 2006,one day afterPlaintiff,
VY led his teamto a BCS NationalChampionship
victoryin the 2006Rose
Bowlandwonthe RoseBowlMostValuablePlayerawafds,Defendant,
RV,
filed the following intent to use trademafk applications:78/786,069,
78n 86,073,7A186B82and 781786883.
26.
Defendant,RV filed intentto use ApplicationSerialNo. 78/786,069
(See Exhjbit 7) based on an alleged intent to use the mark
INVINCEABLEfor "computer games, electronic games, video
games, computer program games. computer game software,
electronicgame programs,electronicgame softlvare,video game
programs,videogamesoftwaae"
in lnternational
Class09.
27.
(See
Defendant,RV filed intentto use ApplicationSerialNo. 781786,073
Exhibit6) basedon an allegedintentto use the matkw fot "Computer
games,electtonicgamos,videogames"in International
ClassI009land
for "lclothinglin International
Class[025].
24.
Defendant,RV filed intent to use ApplicationSeriat No. , 781796882
(See Exhibit 5) based on an alleged jntent to use lhe mark
INVINCEABLE
for "Computer
games,electrcnicgames,videogames"in
Intemational
ClassI009Jandfor "lclothing]in Internationat
Class10251.
29.
Defendant,
RV filedApplication
SeriatNo.78/786,883
(SeeExhibit4)
basedon an allegedintentto usethe mark"[Vyl,'fof .lposiers,
photographs,
pictures,and decalsl"in lnternational
ClassI076j and
for "lcandylin lnternational
Ctass[030].
30.
Priorto the dateDefendant,
RV filedthe foregoingintentto usetrademark
applications
on the "lnvinceable"
and "Vy' marks, plaintiff,Vy was
knownin the publjcbythesenamesthat hadalreadybeenpublicized
and usedin suchan openand notoriousmannerand associatedby ihe
publicmindfith Plaintiff,
\ry. The namesplaintifi,Vy and
IINVINCEABLE
unmistakeabty
pointto plaintiff,Vy.
31.
Plaintiff,VYs personalfameand reputation
arc substantialand
continuing.
The marksVY and Invjnceable
havebeenusedin commerce
and/orin a manneranalogousto usewhichcreatedVy,s p@prietary
rights.
32.
Plaintiffs'hasa websitethat offersretailservicessellingproductsin
commercein mnnectionwiththe VY mark.
33.
Plaintiff,VincentYoungtNC.filedfo. trademafkon the rightsassignedto
it by Plaintjff,VY. Themarkincorporates
a the letters\ / shieldN,4ark.
34.
Throughdiscoveryin the NoticeofOpposition(Exhibit10)filedby plaintiff
ihat was
\ /, he discovered
that Defendants'
wereusinga irademaak
the sameas the VY logoshieldin TrademarkApplication
substanlially
filedby VY lNC. ConpareExhibit1 and Exhibit2). Bothmarkshavea
threepointedenclosedfigurewiththe lettersvy containedtherein.
publicized
Plaintiffshavenationally
the use ofVY logoshield.
35.
Defendant,
RV, In the Notioeof Opposition
stated,in hisresponse
toRevised
l'irst Setof Irterogaroriesnumber8 thathe"cou1dusethc marklo crearea passive
conneciion
!o VinceYoung". See Exhibit'17.
36.
lJpon informationand belief, Defendantsdevelopeda \A/ logo
substantiallysimilarto VY logo shield. Defendantscontactedseveral
manufacturers
and producesamplesofvariousproductsfor usewiththe
VY and Invinceable
marks. Exhibit16and Exhibit14,page20. Upon
infomationand belief,Defendants
are in production
of a decalwiththeir
VY logoafflxedin whichdefendants
are testingthe marketwithsevefal
productswithinseveraltrademarkclassifications.
UponInformation
and
plannedto licensemarkto i|ldividuals
Belief,Defendants
who can use it,
but fefusedto providethat infofmation
in deposition.However,
Defendant,
RVtestifiedthat plaintiffVYwas one of thoseindividuals
and
createdsamplesto directlylicenseto plaintiffVYfof use in commer6e.
Exhibit13 page96-98.
37.
On February29, 2008duringthe depositionDefendant,
RV,whenasked
'And if you foundoutthat someonesellinga productwiththe same
mark.Wouldyou let it go, or wouldyoucontactCounsel?RV replied"l
wouldthinkI wouldhavea causeofaction.lwould thinkthat I would
havea rightto tryandprohibji
themfromdoingthat."SeeExhibit13
page96.
38.
Aftersevefalattemptsof settlement
negotiations
and severalthfeatsof
action,See Exhibit12, pla;ntiffshavefiledthis Declaratory
Judgmentto
protectthe rightsof Plaintiffs.
39.
Defendant,
RV,formeda jointventu.eon 1/5/2006betweenRV, Enos
CabellandTom Robe.sonin an agreement
that incorporates
the
followingterms:(SeeExhibit11).
"lt is Agreed;RodneyVan|erson,actingfor the fespective
lntefestand benefitof the ThreeFriends,hasengagedthe lawfirmof
Andre\asKurthL.L.P.(specifically,
DougRommelmann)
andfiledfor
trademarkprotection
for the mark.
It is Agreed;the ThreeFfiendsconsiderthisagreement
a jointventureeven
thoughall filingswiththe 1,.S.Patentand TrademarkOfficeweremadeand will
remainin the nameof RodneyVannerson,
as an individual.
All expenses
associated
withthe trademarkprotection
and marketawareness
of the ma&
alongwithall proceedsgeneratedfromthe useand/orsaleofthe mafkwill be
sharedbelweenthe ThreeFdendsand TheirAttomeybasedon the following
rightsofownership;EnosCabell-2s%
OWNERSHIP,
Tom Roberson-2s%
OWNERSHIP,
RodneyVannerson50%OWNERSHIP."
40. RV filedthe intent-to-use
trademarkapplications
serialnumbers78l7e6069,
78n86883,781786a82
and 781786073
as an individuat.However,RV
signed Applicantaffirmedby signatureaffixedon thejointventure
agreements
ofthe "lhree Fdends,'and
signedin the presencesof
a duly
authorizednotary,that RV did notownthe ma*s at
the time he
appt,cations
wercfiled_
UponInfo.mation
and beliel RodneyVannerson
on tne respectjvedates
42.
that applications
781786069,
78t86883, 781786882
andT8/78607wete
filed,Applicanthad no bonafidejntentto usesuch
marksjn commerce
as requiredby the LanhamAct, .15U.S.C.
SlO51(b).
lJponInformation
and beliefRodneyD. Vannerson,
madetatse
representatjons
whenhe declaredin the filedintenlto{se applications
78/7B6069,
78/786883,
7Bt786g82
and78]7860Z
that theAppticantentity
typewas
43.
Individual
afterhe hadagreedto assignthe righisto the
marksto thejointventureof the ,,ThrceF ends,, Thus,
DefendantRV
was not the ownerofthe filedforegoingtrademark
applicatjons
ownefof
the markor the ownerof the markspursuantto Trademark
Act S 1(a)(1).
UponInformation
and belief,in viotation
ofthe LanhamAct, 75 U.S.C.S 1052
( a ), defendant,RV fiied intentro us€applicafions
7Bn86O6g,78'868g3
78/786882 and 78178607with the inrentol crearing
a lbisecornecion10Vy
andtuaerfbring
wirh Vy propri€taryrtghrsro theVy a i INVINCEABLE
marks.
RV did nor obrainVy pemissionto file the foregoing
tradcmarkapplications.
Defendant's
foregoingconductconstitutes
a violationof Section2(a)of the
LanhamAct, j5 U.S.C.S 10S2(a),which prohibjts
registratjonon the
principalregisterof a markwhichconsists
of or comprjses.,matterwhich
may disparageor falselysuggesta connection
withpersons,livingor dead.
44.
Uponlnfomationand belief,DefendantRV is not connectedwith Plaintiff
VY, and there is no connectionbetweenthe goods defendantRV
intendsto sellunderthe marksand plaintiffVY.
45.
UponInformation
and beliei becauseplaintiffVY is of sufficientfameand
reputationin the UnitedStates,a connectionwith plaintiffVY wouldbe
presumedif lhe marks :n the subject applicationswefe used
'n
commerceby defendants.
UponInformation
and belief,plaintiffswill be damagedif the marksin the
subjectapplications
are allowedto registerbecausethe markscreates
a falsepercepiion
thatdefendantproduclsare connectedto plaintiffVY.
47.
Uponlnformation
and belief,in violarion
oftfie LanhamAct, 15 U.S.C.S
1052(c ), defendantRV filedintentto useapplications
781786069,
74n86883,78qB6BB2
and78/78607witiroutiheconsent
ofplainliffVY. ,
15 U.S.C.S 1052( c ) of the LanhamAci prohibitsregishation
on the
principalregisterof a ma* which"consistsof a name,portrait,or
signatureidentifying
a padicularlivingindividualexcept
by his wriiten
consent."
The def e n d a n t RV ma rk s (V Y a n d I n -V in c e -a b le )
in the subject ap p lic a t io n s re p re s e n t a n d id e n t if y a
particular Iivin g in d iv id u a l, n a me ly p la in t if f V Y , a n d
plaintiff V Y has n o t g iv e n h is writ t e n c o n s e n t f o r t h e
registrationof L h e ma rk in t h e s u b je c t a p p lic a t io n .
48.
UponInformation
and belief,the public recognition, fame as a
football player, re p u la t io n , p u b lic p e f s o n a , a n d g e n e ra l
awareness of p la in t if f V Y a re s ! b s t a n t ia l. T h e u s e a n d
registration b y De f e n d a n t , RV , o f t h e
ma rk in t h e
foregoing applic a lio n s we re wit h o u t t h e p e rmis s io n o f
plaintiff V Y , wo u ld c a u s e p la in t if f V Y t o b e f a ls e ly
identif;ed with d e f e n d a n t RV , c a u s in g d a ma g e t o t h e
persona, fame, a n d re p u t a t io n o f p la in t if f V Y .
49.
Defendants ha v e e x p e n d e d g re a t p h y s ic a l a n d f in a n c ia l
resources to d e v e lo p , t o ma rk e t a n d t o b ra n d p la in t if f V Y
image. Defend a n t s c o n d u c t h a s c a u s e d P la in t if f V Y
damage specif ic a lly t o h is e n d o rs e me n tp ro g ra m.
50.
P laintiff V Y file d t ra d e ma rk a p p lic a t io n 7 8 / 9 3 5 6 3 2 (S e e
E xhibit3) for t h e V Y Ma rk wh ic h is c u rre n t ly s u s p e n d e d
pending this no t ic e o f o p p o s it io n .
51
P laintiff V Y INC f ile d t ra d e ma f k a p p lic a t io n 7 7 1 3 3 2 7 6 0(S e e
E xhib'tg)for the V . Y o u n g lo g o ma rk .
52
P laintiff V Y as s ig n e d n a me t o V in c e Y o u n g F o o d s I NC f o r
use of the log o s h ie ld a s p a rt o f ma rk f ile d t ra d e ma rk
B ) f o r t h e V . Y o u n g lo g o
application 77l5 5 5 5 6 (S e eE x h ib it
mark.
Count'l - Declaratorv
Judqment
53.
paragraphs
Plaintiffs
re-alleges
1 through
52as paragraph
53of this
@unt 1.
As a result of dcfcndant'sconduct,Vinccnt Paul YoungJL. and
Vinccnr YotrnC lnc- rcesonablybclie!c thar Rodney D. Vannerson,
t0
Eflos Cxbeu,Tom Robcrsooand/or rhejolnt ventureof ThreeFriendsvi
idc a larvsuitegainstthemif &ey co.tinuc to usethe \ry and
IITVVINCEABLE
mruksto identifythenervlydcveloped
productlhes and
mdotscment
pro$amsreleased
on thc markctin 20011
andproductsundet
dcvelopmenr
for release
sometime
in 2009.
As a resultof defendant's
conduct,Plaintiffsreasonably
believethal
Defendants'
willfile a lawsuitagainstthemif theycontinueto usethe VY
and Invinceable
marksto identifyVY's"nameand likeness",ifthey
conlinle to usethe VY markon productssoldin commerce,and ifthey
continueto usethe VY markto identifyretailand entertainment
services
soldin commerce,and ifthey useVY and INVINCEABLE
to identifyhis
fooiballserviceslicensedto the NFL.
56.
As a tesult of dcfcndant's conduct, Plaintiffs rcasonably believe that
Dcfendants'willfrle a law suit enjoiningthe useofVY andlnvinoeable
undcr his endorsementcontacts thereby interf'eringwiih his contracauai
and propdetaryrights 10 use the marks to idenliry VY's'hamc and
likeness".
When RV filed the intent to use tlademark application
78/786069,78/78688378nA6882 and 78178607 he hadno bonafide
intent to usc thc marks\ry and Ifl vinceablein commerce.RV knew thc
connectionbeAveerl
\ry ind the invincexblcnurks whenhe filed thc iffenr ro
useapplications. Thus,RV 61edthc markswith dr intenlio. of exnacting
mooeyfor licensingthe marl backto \Y.
1'rademarkapplication78/786882
has l,een issued a noticc of allownnce. The on!, rcmed\. no$, is a caicelarion
procccding bcfore the fedeml district couft.
ll
57.
Vinccnt Paul YonngJr. and Vincent Young Inc. alsoreasonab\,belig.e
thxt dcfendantswill wait until the lastpossiblenomcnt to Ele suchai
action, or at n minimum frle such an acrion ar a tine calcLLlared
to cteate thc
greatestpossibleinrerferenccwirh Vincenr Par.tlyoung Jr. and Vincent
Young Inc. oormat courscof business.
58.
Defendants'
ongoingclaimrhatptaintiffs,
useof ihe VyandtNVINCEABLE
marksinftinges
RodncyD.
Vannerson.
EnosCabe, ToinRobcrson
and/orrhejoint
veDture
of ThrccFriendsrightscreatesar actuatcaseor conboveNyfor purposcs
of 28
u.s.c.$2201.
59.
Defendants' ongoing clarm tirat plaintiffs ate in&nrgiog Rodney D.
Vannerson,Enos Cabell,Tom Robctsonand/or rhe joint ventureof Thrce
Fricnds'righrs in the \Y n
IN\,'INCEABLE martrsdjsrupts ptai,rtiffs,
abiiity to condrue to merkct and ptomote product tines and endoncment
pr<gramstelcasedon the markct in 2008 md producs under dcrelopment
fbl rcle.se somedmeifl 2009. Unlcss the Coutt acts promprl! ro dcclare that
plaintjffs' have rights in the usc of rhe \ry and IN\/INCEABLE
marLs, a\c
d;sruption of
\ry
plaintiffs'iocome
and dcvelopmenr of
ancl
I.,]VINCE-\BI-F, produd lines and cndorsemcnt pmgiams \viit conrinue to
60.
Unless enjoined and rcstrained by the Court, defendants are likely to
€ngage in conduct that will cause ireparable injury to plaintiffs, for
which tbey have no remedy at law.
61.
WHEREFOR!,PlaturiffspmyrhattheCoun:
(a) declare,adjudge,anddecreethat use by Vy andVy lNC,
)2
and anyof theirrespectiveagentsor representatives,
ofthe Vy and
INVINCEABLE
trademarkdoesnot infringeanyrightsof defendantRV,
EC,TR and JV;
(b ) d e cl a re,adjudgeand decr ee that defendantsRV,
EC, TR and JV have no right,ti e and interestjn the followingmarks:Vy
and INVINCEABLE
or any markor domainnameincluding
the wordsVy
andINVINCEABLE
or anyothervariation
oi suchname;
(c) issue preliminaryand permanentinjunctionsrestraining
defendantsand all personsactingin privityor in concertwith them,from
any acts of trademarkinfringementin violationof the LanhamAct or
applicablestate law, including,without limjtation,injunctionsthat direct
defendantsto refrainfrom any advertisement,
marketingor other use in
interstatecommerce,includingas a domainname,any of the following
marks:VY and INVINCEABLE,
or any mark including
the words,,Vy,,,
'INVlNCEABLE,',
'VtNCEYOUNG"or anyvartation
of suchname;
(d)
ordercancellation
and/orabandonment
of SerialNos.
78t86069,78t86883;78n86073,and78t7868g2.
Registration
of SeriatNo
78/935632.
(c)
awardplaintiffsdamages
aspennitted
by law,costs,
reasonable
atlorncys'fbcs,and;otherandfirthef reliefasthisCourtmaydeemjust
andproper.
COUNT 2 V IOLA T I O NS O F T HE L A NHA M A CT
62.
P laintiffs re-alleg e s p a ra g ra p h s lt h ro u g h 5 2 a s p a ra g ra p h
62 of this Count 2 .
t3
63.
P laintiff has lic e n s e d h is n a me a n d lik e n e s s t o UT , NF L ,
V INCE yOUNG I NC a n d o t h e r b u s in e s s e n t it ie s . T h e s e
entities have u s e d V in c e n t p a u l y o u n g J R. t ra d e n a me
"V Y " and "in-vi n c e a b I e "t o p ro mo t e t h e ir e n t e rt a jn me n t
services as we ll a s p ro d u c t s . T h u s , t h e p u b lic h a s c o me
to recognize pta in t if f V y a s ' V y . a n d I n _ v in c e _ a b t wh
e ic h
inures to the ben e f it o f p la in t if f V y .
64.
Defendant RV en t e re d in t o a c o n t ra c t wif l-rDe f e n d a n t E C
and Defendant T R wh e re in h e s o id a n in t e re s t in h is in t e n t
to use ifadema rk a p p lic a t io n s Z B 1 7 A 6 , O 7 37,a / 1 8 6 e A 2 ,
7B 1786B 83,ard 7 8 1 7 8 6 , 0 7 3 . De f e n d a n t RV , De f e rd a n t E C
and Defendanl T R t h e n e n t e re d in t o a c o n t ra c t t h a t
created defend a n t J V e n t it y wh ic h h o t d s t h e in t e re s t o f t h e
other defendant s in t h e t ra d e ma rk a p p lic a t io n s .
A dditionally, the c o rt f a c t a ls o p ro v t o e s a n I n t e re s t t o
A ttorney Doug Ro mme lma n .
65.
Defendants RV a n d J V a p p ro a 6 h e dma n u f a c t u rin g
companresto ma n u f a c t u rep ro d u c t s u n d e r t h e v y a n d
INV INCE A B LEMa rk s . De f e n d a n t sRV a n d J V h a v e
approached orga n iz a t io n st o d e v e lo p ma rk e t in g s t ra t e g ie s
for the ia,troduc t io no f t h e ma rk s f o r in t o c o mme f c e .
Defendant RV an d t h e J V c o n t ra c t e dwit h a ma n u f a c t u rin g
company to prod u c e V y d e c a ls a n d T _ S h irt sb e a rin g t h e ir
V Y logo. The dis p la y o f T _ S h irta n d V y d e c a t s a lo n g wit h
14
the interfacing wit h ma rk e t in g a n d ma n u f a c t u rin g
companies is lik e ly t o c a u s e c o n f u s io n a mo n g p ro s p e c t iv e
and actual cus t o me rs o f p la in t if f s
66.
Defendantsdev e lo p me n t ,ma rk e t in g a n d p ro d u c t io n o f t h e
V Y logo decal is c o n f u s in g ly s imila r t o p la in t if f s V Y lo g o
shield and P la in t if f V Y ma rk t h a t it ls llk e ly t o c a u s e
confusion amon g p ro s p e c t iv ea n d a c t u a l c u s t o me rs o f
plaintiffs.
67.
Defendants atte mp t t o lic e n s e V Y Ma rk ls lik e ly t o c a u s e
confusion amo n g p ro s p e c t iv ea n d a c t u a l c u s t o me rs o f
plaintiffs
68.
A lthough the fo re g o in g d e f e n d a n t ' s c o n d u c t ma y n o t
constitute use f o r t h e p u rp o s e o f p e rmit t in g re g is t ra t io no f
the mark as a t ra d e ma rk u n d e r 1 5 US C 1 0 5 1 (a ), t h e
conduct does co n s t it u t e s a v io la t io n o f S e c t io n 4 3 (a ) o f
Lanham A ct (15 US C 1 1 2 5 (a )).
69.
Defendant'sfo re g o in g c o n d u c t is in v io la t io n o f t h e
Lanham A ct, 15 U. S . C. S 1 0 5 2 (d ) S e c t io n 2 (d ) wh ic h
prohibits regis t ra t io no n t h e p rin c ip a l re g is ie r o f a ma rk
which "consists o f o r c o mp ris e s a ma rk wh ic h s o
resembles a ma rk re g is t e re d in t h e P a t e n t a n d T ra d e ma rk
Office, or a ma rk o r t f a d e n a me p re v io u s ly u s e d in t h e
United S tates b y a n o t h e r a n d n o t a b a a d o n e d ,a s t o b e
l,kely, when use d o n o r in c o n n e c iio n wit h lh e g o o d s o f t h e
15
a p p ti ca n t,to causeconfusion,or to causem istake,or to
d e ce i ve " .
70.
Unlessenjoinedandreshained
by theCourt,defendanrs
arelikely to
cngagein coDduct
thatwill causeirreparable
irjury to plaintiffs,for
whichtheyhavenorcmedyat law.
71.
WHEREFORE,
Piaintiffs
praythattheCoud:
(a) declare,adjudge,anddecreethat use by Vy andVy tNC,
and any oflheir respective
agentsor representatives,
of the Vy and
INVINCEABLE
trademarkdoesnot inf.ingeany rightsof defendantRV,
EC,TR andJV;
(b ) d e cl a re,adjudgeand decr ee that defendantsRV,
EC, TR and JV have no right,ti e and interestin the followingmarks:Vy
and INVINCEABLE
or any markor domainnameincludingthe wordsVy
and INVINCEABLE
or any othervariatjonof such nameincluding,,VlNCE
YOUNG'';
(c) issue preliminaryand permanentinjunctionsrestraining
defendantsand all personsactingin privityor in concertwjth them,from
any acts of trademarkinfringementin violationof the LanhamAct or
applicablestate law, including,without limitation,injunctionsthat direct
defendantsto refrainfrom any advertisement,
marketingor other use in
interstatecommerce,includingas a domainname,any of the following
marks:VY and INVINCEABLE,
or any mark inctudingthe words ,,Vy,,,
"INVINCEABLE,'
or anyvariationof suchname;
(c) ordercancellation
and/orabandonment
of SerialNos.
78n86069, 781786883:
781786073,7 8n86882. Order Serial
Number7B l 9 3 5 6 3 2t o b e is s u e d .
(d) award plaintiffsdamagesas permittedby law, costs,
reasonableattorneys'fees, and;
(e) other and further relief as this Court may deem just and
proper.
COUNT3-UnfairCompetition
72.
P laintiffs re-alle g e s p a ra g ra p h s t t h ro u g h 5 2 a s p a ra g ra p h
72 of this count 3 .
73.
Defendant RV en t e re d in t o a 6 0 n t ra c i wit h De f e n d a n t E C
and Defendant T R wh e re in h e s o ld a n in t e re s t in h is in t e n t
to use tradema rk a p p t ic a t io n s7 8 t 7 A 6 , 0 7 3 ,7 B 1 7 8 6 8 B 2 ,
781786A A 3,and 7 A 1 7 8 6 , 0 7 3 .De f e n d a n t RV , De f e n d a n t E C
and Defendant T R t h e n e n t e re d in t o a c o n t ra c t t h a t
created defend a n t J V e n t it y wh ic h h o t d s t h e in t e re s t o f t h e
other defendant s in t h e t ra d e ma rk a p p ' jc a t io n s .
A dditionally, th e c o n t ra c t a ls o p ro v id e s a n in t e f e s t t o
A ttofney Doug Ro mme lma n .
74.
Defendants RV a n d J V a p p ro a c h e dma n u f a c t u rin g
companies to ma n u f a c t u rep ro d u c t s u n d e r t h e V y a n d
INV INCE A B LEI \ , 4 a rk 6De
_ f e n d a n t sRV a n d J V h a v e
approachedorga n iz a t io n st o d e v e lo p ma rk e t in g s t ra t e g ie s
for the introduc t io no f t h e ma rk s f o r in t o c o mme rc e .
Defendant RV a n d t h e J V c o n t ra c t e dwit h a ma n u f a c t u rin g
t7
company lo prod u c e V Y d e c a ls a n d T -S h irt s b e a rin g t h e ir
V Y logo. The d is p la y o f T -S h irt a n d V y d e c a ls a lo n g wit h
the interfacing wit h ma rk e t in g a n d ma n u f a c t u rin g
compan;es is li k e ly t o c a u s e c o n f u s io n a mo n g p ro s p e c t iv e
and actual cust o me rs o f p la in t if f s
75.
Defendantsdev e lo p me n t ,ma rk e t in g a n d p ro d u c t io n o f t h e
V Y logo decal is c o n f u s in g t ys imjla r t o p la in I f f s V y lo g o
shield and P lain t if f V Y ma rk t h a t it is t ik e t y t o c a u s e
confusion amon g p ro s p e c t iv ea n d a c t u a l c u s t o me rs o f
plaintiffs.
76.
Defendantsatte mp t t o lic e n s e V y I \ ra rkis lik e ly t o c a u s e
confusion amon g p ro s p e c t iv ea n d a c t u a l c u s t o me rs o f
plaintiffs
77.
A lthough the for e g o in g d e f e n d a n i, s6 0 n d u c t ma y n o t
constitute use f o r t h e p u rp o s e o f p e rmjt t in g c la imin g
trademark rights , t h e c o n d u c t d o e s c o n s t it u t e s u n f a ir
competition u nde r T e x a s L a w.
78.
Unlcssenjoinedand restained by rhe Court, defendantsarc likely to
engagem conductthat will causeilrepalabll-injury to plaintiffs, fol
which they haveno remedyat law.
79.
WHEREFORI. Plaintiffs pray tharthe Court:
(a) declare,adjudge,anddecreethat use by Vy andVy tNC,
and any oftheir respective
agentsor representatives,
of the Vy and
INVINCEABLE
trademarkdoesnot infringeany rightsof defendantRV,
EC,TR andJV;
(b ) d e ctar e,adjudgeand decr ee that defendants
RV,
EC, TR and JV have no rjght,tifle and interestin the followingmarks:
Vy
and INVINCEABLE
or any markor domajnnamejncludingthe wordsVy
and INVINCEABLE
or anyoihervariatjonof suchname;
(c) issue preliminaryand permanentinjunctionsrestraining
defendantsand all personsactingin prjvityor in concertwith
them,from
any acts of trademarkinfringementin violationof the Lanham
Act of
applicablestate law, including,without limitation,injunctions
that direct
defendantsto refrainfrom any advertisement,
marketingor other use in
Interstatecommerce,includingas a domainname, any
of the following
marks:VY and INVINCEABLE,
or any mark including
the words,,Vy,.
"INVINCEABLE,"
,,VlNCE
or anyvariation
of suchnameincluding
yOUNG"
(f) ordercanceationand/orabandonment
of SerialNos.
78t86069, 78t86883; 7 8t786073, 7 8t7868g2.
(g) awardplaintif{sdamagesas permittedby law,costs,
reasonable
attorneys,
fees,and;
(h) otherandfurtherreliefas this Courtmaydeemjust
and
proper.
19
COUNT4-F€ud
80.
P laintiffs re-alle g e s p a ra g ra p h s lt h f o u g h 5 2 a s p a f a g ra p h
80 of ihis Cou n t 4 .
81.
Uponinformation
and belief,DefendantRVfiledthisapptication
withthe
inientjonof usurpingplaintiffVy'spriorrightto use his Vy and
INVINCEABLE
marks.Defendant
RV filedhis intentto use applications
approximaiely
the sametime plaintiff\ y wasdraftediniothe NFL.Vince
Youngis currentlywellknownin NatjonalFootballLeague(NFL)as well
as In the consumerpublic.PlaintiffVYhas usedhis lnitiats,,\|/,,and is
knownas INVINCEABLE
for severalyearspriorto ente ng the NFL_
42.
Uponinformation
and belief,Defendant
RV madeseveralfalse
misrepresentations
in his application
for registration
of the \ry and
INVINCEABLE
marks. DefendantRV madea misrepresentaiion
that
he wasthe individual
ownerof the application
at the timehe fitedthe
intentto useapplications.DefendantRV madea rnisrepresentation
that he hada bonafide ;ntentto usethe marks_DefendantRV madea
misrepresentation
by omittingthe factthat plainiiffVy had propdetary
rightsto the markspriorto himfilinghis intentto useapptications.
83.
Defendani's
iofegoingconductconstitutes
a violationof 15 USC1120
becauseDefendantRV is attempting
to procurea registered
rnaft by
fraud.
20
84.
Unlessenjoinedandrcshainedby theCourt,defendants
arelikely to
engagein conductthat will causeireparable injury to plaintiffs, for
which they haveno remedyat law.
85.
WHEREFORE,
Plaintiflsprayfiat theCourt:
(a) declare,adjudge,anddecreethat use by VY andVY lNC,
andany of theirrespective
agentsor representatives,
of the VY and
INVINCEABLE
trademarkdoesnot infringeany rightsof defendantRV,
EC,TR andJV;
(b) declarethatdefendants
committedfraudpursuantto 15
USC1120and plaintiffsare entitledto anydamagessustainedas a
conSequence
thereof;
(c) d e cl a re,adjudgeand decr ee that defendantsRV,
EC, TR and JV have no right.title and interestin the followingmarks:Vy
and INVINCEABLE
or any markor domainnameincludingthe wordsVy
and INVINCEABLE
or anyothervariationof suchname;
(d) issue preliminaryand permanentinjunctionsrestraining
defendantsand all personsactingin privityor in concertwith them,from
any acts of trademarkinfringementin violationof the LanhamAct or
applicablestate Iaw, including,without limitation,injunctionsthat direct
defendantsto refrainfrom any advertisement,
marketingor other use in
interstatecommerce,includingas a domainname, any of the following
marks:VY and INVINCEABLE,
or any mark includingthe words "Vy,',
"INVINCEABLE,"
or anyvariation
of suchnameincluding
"VtNCEyOUNG"
;
2l
91.
Unlessenjoinedandrestrained
by theCoufi,defendants
arelikely to
engagem conductthat will causeineparable
injrry to plaintiffs, for
whichlhe) ha\eDoremedy
ar lau.
92.
plainriffspraythat
WHEREFORE,
rheCouft:
(a) declare,adjudge,and decree
and any of their respectiveagents
that use by Vy and Vy lNC,
or represenlattves,of the Vy and
INVINCEABLEtrademarkdoes not
infringeany rghts ofdefendant RV,
EC, TR and JV;
(b ) d e cl a re,adjudgeand decr ee
that
defendantsRV,
EC, TR and JV have no right,ti e and
interestin the followingmarks:
and INVINCEABLE
or any markor domainnamejncluding
the words
and INVINCEABLE
or any othervariationof suchname;
(c) issue preliminaryand permaneni
injunctjonsrestraining
defendantsand all personsactingin privity
or in concertwith them,from
any acts of trademarkInfringementin
violationof the LanhamAct or
applicablestate law, jncluding,without limitation,
injunctionsthat direct
defendantsto refrainfrom any adveftsement,
marketingor other use in
Interstatecommerce,includingas a domain name,
any of the followjng
marks:VY and INVINCEABLE,
or any mark including
the words,,Vy,"
"INVINCEABLE,,,
,VINCEyOUNG"
or anyvadation
of suchnameinctuding
(i)
ordercancellation
and/orabandonment
of SerialNos.
781786069,
78/786883;
7At7A60z3,7A?86882
(r)
awardplaintiffsdamagesas permittedby law,costs,
reasonable
attorneys,
fees,and;
(k)
proper.
otherand furtherretiefas thjsCourt
may
24
deemjust and
L. praver
16. For these reasons,ptaintiffasks
for judgmentagainst defendantfor the
followingi
a- Any damagespermittedby law
b. Reasonable
attorneyfees_
c.
Costsofcourt.
d. All oiherreliefihe courtdeemsappropriate.
Respectfuy submitted,
Delphine
James
Dier€, iend by oe pn rt }hes
ffi*u,
lna rnnl:nsd@&r
/DelphineJames/
Delphine
James
TexasBarNumber
24010129
2626SouthLoopWest,Sujte380
HousIon,TX 77054
Phone-713-661-4144
Fax-7'13-6614i45
Attomeyfor Ptaintiff
25