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J .
SCOTTGERIEN
t a t e
Bar
No.
184728
CHRISTOPHER
.
PASSARELLI
t a t e
Bar
No.
241174
CORINNA
M.W.
CHARLTON
t a t e
Bar
No.
279305
DICKENSON
EATMAN
OGARTY
1455
i r s t
S t r e e t ,
S t e . 301
Napa, a l i f o r n i a
94559
Telephone: 707) 52-7122
F a c s i m i l e : 707)
55-6876
A t t o r n e y s f o r P l a i n t i f f
VINTAGEWINE
ESTATES
NC.
UNITED
STATES
ISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN
ISTRICT
OF
CALIFORNIA
V i n t a g e
Wine
E s t a t e s ,
I n c . ,
P l a i n t i f f ,
v s .
Dan Coh n
Win e C e l l a r s
LLC
aniel A.
Cohn, n n d i v i d u a l ,
and
DOES t h r o u g h
1 0 .
Defendants.
CASE
NO.
COMPLAINT
1 .
Federal
T r a demark Infringement
2. Federal
Unfair
Competition
3.
C a l i f o r n i a
Unfair
Competition
4 .
C a l i f o r n i a
False or Misleading
Statements
5.
Common
Law rademark
Infringement
6. CommonLaw
nf air Compet ition
7.
C a l i f o r n i a
Misappropriation of T ra
S e c r e t s
8.
Common
Law
isappropriation
of
T r a d e S e c r e t s
DEMAND OR
JURY
TRIAL
P l a i n t i f f , Vintage
Win e
E s t a t e s ,
I n c . ,
f o r
t s
complaint a g a i n s t
D e f e n d a n t s ,
Dan Cohn
Wi n e
C e l l a r s LLC
aniel A. Coh n and DOES through 1 0 ,
a l l e g e s
a s
f o l l o w s :
NATURE
OF
ACTION
1 . This
i s
an
a c t i o n
t o
r e d r e s s v i o l a t i o n s
of h e f e d e r a l Lanham
Act
o r
i n f r i n g e m e n t of a
f e d e r a l l y
r e g i s t e r e d
trademark
15 U.S.C.
§1114),
e d e r a l
u n f a i r
c o m p e t i t i o n
15 U.S.C.
§
1 2 5 a ) ) ,
C a l i f o r n i a
u n f a i r
c o m p e t i t i o n
Cal.
Bus. r o f .
Code §
7200),
t h e
COMPLAINT 1
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d i s s e m i n a t i o n
of
a l s e
and
m i s l e a d i n g
s t a t e m e n t s
( C a l .
Bus.
&Prof.
Code § 7 5 0 0 ) ,
m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n
of r a d e
s e c r e t s ( C a l . C i v . Code
§
426),
and
common aw
t r a d e m a r k
i n f r i n g e m e n t , u n f a i r
c o m p e t i t i o n , and
m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n of
r a d e
s e c r e t s
a s
t h e
r e s u l t
of
w i l l f u l
and
u n a u t h o r i z e d
use
by Defendants of
c o l o r a b l e
i m i t a t i o n s
of
P l a i n t i f f s
t r a d e m a r k , a s
more
f u l l y s e t f o r th
h e r e i n a f t e r .
P l a i n t i f f s e e k s
p r e l i m i n a r y
and
permanent
i n j u n c t i v e r e l i e f r e s t r a i n i n g
Defendants'
i n f r i n g e m e n t of
P l a i n t i f f s
t r a d e m a r k ,
monetary
damages, t t o r n e y s f e e s and
e l a t e d r e l i e f .
THE
PARTIES
2 .
P l a i n t i f f ,
Vintage W ine
s t a t e s , I n c . , i s a a l i f o r n i a c o r p o r a t i o n
w i t h
i t s p r i n c i p a l
p l a c e
of
u s i n e s s
l o c a t e d a t
205
Concourse
Blvd, anta
Rosa, a l i f o r n i a
95403.
3 . Upon
n f o r m a t i o n
and b e l i e f ,
Defendant,
D a n
Cohn
Wine
e l l a r s
LLC D C W C ) , s a
Delaware i m i t e d
l i a b i l i t y company w i t h
i t s
p r i n c i p a l
p l a c e
of
u s i n e s s
l o c a t e d
a t 3678
R u t h e r f o r d
W a y ,
anta Rosa, a l i f o r n i a 95404.
4 .
Upon
i n f o r m a t i o n and
b e l i e f ,
Defendant,
Daniel A.
Cohn,
i s
an
i n d i v i d u a l
doing
b u s i n e s s
i n
t h e
s t a t e
of
a l i f o r n i a
and e s i d i n g
a t
804 E.
Windward
Way
607,
a n t a n a ,
F l o r i d a
33462.
5 .
P l a i n t i f f
i s unaware
of
t h e
t r u e
names o r
c a p a c i t i e s , be
t h e y i n d i v i d u a l ,
member,
i n v e s t o r ,
p a r t n e r ,
o i n t- v e n t u r e r , c o - c o n s p i r a t o r ,
o r
o t h e r w i s e ,
of
h e Defendants
named
h e r e i n
a s DOES
through 1 0 ,
and
each of hem,
nd h e r e f o r e
s u e s s a i d
Defendants by
such
f i c t i t i o u s names and w i l l
amend t h i s Complaint t o show t h e i r
t r u e
names and
c a p a c i t i e s when
h e
same
have been
s c e r t a i n e d .
6 . Upon
n f o r m a t i o n
and b e l i e f , a t
a l l
t i m e s
h e r e i n mentioned,
each
of
h e
Defendants
was
t h e a g e n t of
each
of h e o t h e r D e f e n d a n t s , and i n
doing
t h e t h i n g s
h e r e i n a f t e r
a l l e g e d ,
was a c t i n g
w i t h i n
t h e
c o u r s e
and
scope
of
such
agency and
w i t h
t h e p e r m i s s i o n
and
c o n s e n t
of i s ,
h e r o r i t s
Co
- D e f e n d a n t s .
COMPLAINT
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JURISDICTION NDVENUE
7.
This
Court
has s u b j e c t matter j u r i s d i c t i o n over
P l a i n t i f f ' s claim
under and
pursuant
t o
15
U.S.C.
§1121 and 28 U.S.C. §1338(a),
as
t h e
claims
a r i s e under
t h e f e d e r a l La nh a m
Act, 15 U.S. C. §§1116-1127. This
Court
a l s o
has
pendent
j u r i s d i c t i o n
over a l l of
P l a i n t i f f ' s
r e l a t e d
claims i n
accordance
with 28
U.S.C.
§1338(b).
8.
Upon information
and
b e l i e f ,
Defendants
e i t h e r
d i r e c t l y or
through
t h e i r
a g e n t s ,
t r a n s a c t e d
business
i n
the
S t a t e
of
C a l i f o r n i a
and
within
t h i s j u d i c i a l
d i s t r i c t ,
as
m o r e
s p e c i f i c a l l y
s e t
f o r t h
belo w ,
and
expected
or should
reasonably have
expected
t h e i r
a c t s
t o have
consequence i n the
S t a t e
of
a l i f o r n i a and
within
t h i s
j u d i c i a l
d i s t r i c t .
9.
V e n u e
i s
proper in
t h i s
d i s t r i c t
pursuant
t o
28
U.S.C.
§1391(b), as
Defendants
a r e
doing
b u s i n e s s i n
t h i s j u d i c i a l d i s t r i c t
and
t h e r e f o r e
may
e found
i n
t h i s
d i s t r i c t ,
and/or
as
a
s u b s t a n t i a l
p a r t
of
the events giving r i s e
t o
the claims
a l l e g e d he r e i n
occurred i n
t h i s
j u d i c i a l
d i s t r i c t ,
and/or the infringement occurred i n
t h i s j u d i c i a l
d i s t r i c t .
INTRADISTRICT
ASSIGNMENT
10.
Pursuant
to
C i v i l Local
Ru l e
3-2(c)
h i s
i s
an i n t e l l e c t u a l
property
m a t t e r
which i s
t o
b e
assigned
on
a d i s t r i c t
-wide
b a s i s .
ALLEGATIONSCOMMONTOALL
CLAIMS
11. l a i n t i f f i s
a w i n e c o m p a n y w h i c h owns um e rous w i n e
brands
and
s e v e r a l
w i n e r i e s
l o c a t e d i n
the
re nowne d Napa ounty and Sonoma ounty
w i n e
regions of
a l i f o r n i a .
12.
On
u l y 24,
2015,
P l a i n t i f f
e x pand ed i t s
winery
p o r t f o l i o
b y
purchasing
t h e famous
B.R. CORN
i n e brand and
the
B.R. C o h n
Winery
l o c a t e d j u s t
o u t s i d e
t h e
t o w n of
S o n o m a ,
a l i f o r n i a .
13. l a i n t i f f ' s
purchase of the B.R.
Cohn
Winery involved
nu m er ou s
a s s e t s ,
i n c l u d i n g
v i n e y a r d s ,
b u i l d i n g s , equipment,
inventory
and i n t e l l e c t u a l
p r o p e r t y
( c o l l e c t i v e l y ,
t h e
Purchased A s s e t s ) .
COMPLAINT
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14.
Among
h e
most v a l u a b l e i n t e l l e c t u a l p r o p e r t y
a s s e t s
purchased
by
P l a i n t i f f
were t h e
t r a d e name and trademark
B.R.
CORN
o r
wine and
p r o p r i e t a r y
customer
d a t a
of
d i s t r i b u t o r s
and
r e t a i l e r s who
urchase
B.R.CORN ine
throughout
h e
United
S t a t e s .
15.
The
Purchased
Assets wer e
own ed by
s e v e r a l a f f i l i a t e d
e n t i t i e s
( t h e Cohn
E n t i t i e s ) ,
which
e n t i t i e s a r e
owne d by
a t h e r and
son Bruce
Cohn
and
Daniel
Cohn.
1 6 .
B ruce
Cohn
founded t h e B.R. Cohn Winery
over
f o r t y y e a r s
ago. U p o n
n f o r m a t i o n
and
b e l i e f , a f t e r
i t s founding,
wine
p r o d u c t i o n
by t h e B.R.
Cohn
Winery
s t e a d i l y
i n c r e a s e d
u n t i l p r o d u c t i o n
ex ceeded
100,000
a s e s a n n u a l l y .
17.
Bruce
Cohn
a l s o
s t a r t e d
s e v e r a l
o t h e r v e n t u r e s which
we r e
complimentary t o t h e
B.R.
Cohn
Winery
b u s i n e s s and t h e s e v e n t u r e s
a l l
f e a t u r e d and/or
encompassed
t h e B.R.
CORN rand
and wer e
conducted
from t h e
B.R.
Cohn
Winery.
1 8 .
U p o n
i n f o r m a t i o n
and
b e l i e f , over
t h e y e a r s , t h e Cohn
E n t i t i e s took
on
a
s t e a d i l y
i n c r e a s i n g
amount
of
debt t o
fund
t h e
o p e r a t i o n s
of
h e
B.R.
Cohn Winery
and
r e l a t e d
b u s i n e s s e s .
1 9 .
In
January 2014,
Bru c e
Cohn
stepped
down
as t h e manager
of
h e B.R. Cohn
Winery
b u s i n e s s
and
appointed h i s
son, Da niel Cohn,
o
a c t i v e l y
mana g e t h e B.R. Cohn
Winery
a f f i l i a t e d
b u s i n e s s e s
conducted
through
t h e
Cohn
E n t i t i e s .
20. U p o n i n f o r m a t i o n
and
b e l i e f , Daniel
Cohn
took
s e v e r a l
s i g n i f i c a n t a c t i o n s
i n
an
a t t e m p t
t o
s t r e n g t h e n
t h e Cohn
E n t i t i e s '
balance s h e e t s . Most n o t a b l y ,
h e
cut
wine p r o d u c t i o n
s i g n i f i c a n t l y .
21.
Daniel Cohn's
e f f o r t s
t o
reduce debt
and
s t r e n g t h e n
t h e
f i n a n c i a l
p o s i t i o n of
h e Cohn
E n t i t i e s f a i l e d .
Upon
n f o r m a t i o n
and
b e l i e f , B an k of
t h e
West, who h a d
p r o v i d e d a
s u b s t a n t i a l
o p e r a t i n g
l i n e
of
r e d i t
t o
t h e
Cohn
E n t i t i e s , r e f u s e d
t o
renew
o r
extend t h i s
l i n e of
r e d i t
w h en
t c a m e
t o
term
i n
e a r l y
2015.
22.
As e p o r te d i n t h e
Kenwood
Press,
t h e Cohn
E n t i t i e s '
o u t s t a n d i n g
l o a n
b a l a n c e
w i t h
Bank
of
h e
West
ex ceeded
$25,000,000
t h e
Debt ).
/ /
2g
/ /
COMPLAINT
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23.
Upon
nformation
a nd
b e l i e f ,
d e s p i t e
t h e i r
e f f o r t s ,
n e i t h e r
Bruce n o r
Daniel Coh n
could
f i n d
another
ba nk t h a t
was
w i l l i n g
t o r e f i n a n c e
the
Debt
a nd
extend
a
loan
t o
t h e
Cohn
E n t i t i e s .
24.
Upon nformation
a nd b e l i e f , B a n k
o f he
West
r e s s u r e d Bruce Cohn
n d
Daniel Cohn
t o f i n d a buyer f o r
the B.R.
Cohn
Winery
b u s i n e s s
i n
order
to
prevent t h e
ba nk f r o m
c o m m e n c i n g
proceedings
t o take over
the
B.R. Cohn
Wine ry
b u s i n e s s
andlor
f r o m
l i q u i d a t i n g
t h e Purchased
Assets
t o
recoup t h e
Debt.
25. Upon
information a nd
b e l i e f , n e i t h e r
Bruce Cohn
nor Daniel
Cohn
had a n y
d e s i r e
t o
s e l l t h e
Purchased Assets
t o
P l a i n t i f f .
To
the c o n t r a r y ,
both
Bruce Cohn
a nd
Daniel
Cohn
begrudgingly
agreed t o market t h e
B.R. Cohn
Wine ry
f o r
s a l e a nd t o
accept
t h e
purchase
o f f e r
f o r
the
Purchased
Assets
m a d e
by
l a i n t i f f .
26.
Upon information
a nd b e l i e f , both
Bruce and
Daniel
Cohn
had p e r s o n a l l y
guaranteed
the
Debt, n d thus
faced
personal
l i a b i l i t y i f
t h e Debt
was
not
e p a i d .
27. The p r i c e paid
by P l a i n t i f f f o r
the Purchased Assets was
accepted by B a n k o f
h e West
as s u f f i c i e n t
t o
s a t i s f y and/or
f o r g i v e
the
Debt, a nd as a e s u l t , a n y
personal
l i a b i l i t y
o f
Daniel
Cohn
t o
B a n k
o f
the
West
i n
connection
with
the
Debt was
e l i m i n a t e d
by
P l a i n t i f f s
a c q u i s i t i o n o f
he
Purchased
A s s e t s .
28.
Daniel
Cohn was engaged
by P l a i n t i f f
t o a s s i s t
with t h e
t r a n s i t i o n
o f
he
ownership o f
the
B.R.
Cohn
Wine ry
business
a f t e r
the
completion o f the
a c q u i s i t i o n by P l a i n t i f f .
This
engagement was
f o r a
t h r e e
m o n t h p e r i o d
which
l a s t e d f r o m
l a t e
J u l y
through
October
o f
2015.
Daniel
Cohn
was f i n a n c i a l l y
compensated a c o n s i d e r a b l e
a m o u n t
o f
m o n e y
as
well
as c o s t s f o r
h i s
h a b i t a t i o n
a nd
r e l o c a t i o n
a f t e r the
c o n s u l t i n g
engagement
was
complete.
29.
As
r e s u l t
o f
t s
purchase
o f the Purchased Assets,
l a i n t i f f
owns
h e
trademark B.R.
ORN o r
wine,
as well as
i n c o n t e s t a b l e f e d e r a l trademark
r e g i s t r a t i o n f o r
B.R.
CORN
f o r wine
i n I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Class 33 U.S.
Trademark
R e g i s t r a t i o n
No
, 8 3 5 , 6 1 9 ) ,
which
i s s u e d
o n
May 0, 1994
a nd
has a
c o n s t r u c t i v e
f i r s t
use d a t e o f
Dece m b e r
10,
1992.
COMPLAINT
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30. l a i n t i f f
and
P l a i n t i f f s
predecessor
- i n
- i n t e r e s t
have
used the
B.R.
ORN
ark i n U.S.
c o m m e r c e
o n or n
a s s o c i a t i o n
with
win e
over
4 e a r s ,
s i n c e
June
1 , 1985.
31.
Th e B.R.
ORN
ark
s
i n h e r e n t l y d i s t i n c t i v e as used
i n
a s s o c i a t i o n
with
wine.
32. l a i n t i f f produces s e v e r a l v a r i e t a l s o f win e from
C a l i f o r n i a grapes under t h e B.R.
ORN
mark
and
P l a i n t i f f
o f f e r s t h i s win e
f o r
s a l e t o
c o n s ume r s i n a l l f i f t y
s t a t e s
throughout
t h e
United
S t a t e s .
Since
1985
well
over a m i l l i o n
b o t t l e s
o f
B.R.
CORN
brand win e
have
b e en
sold
nationwide.
33.
B.R.
CORN
wines
have been
lauded
with
high
c r i t i c
s c o r e s and numerous f a v o r a b l e
reviews
over t h e
y e a r s .
M o s t
e c e n t l y ,
t h e s e
awards and
reviews have
included
s i l v e r
medals a t
the
San
Francisco
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Win e Competition the S.F.
Chronicle
Wine
Competition and
the
S ommeli er Challenge I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Win e Competition and
an
88
point
r a t i n g
b y
Wine
Spectator
f o r
the
B.R. ORN
infandel; a Doubl e Gol d medal
a t
the
Sonoma
C oun ty
Harvest
F a i r
f o r the B.R.
ORN
abernet
Franc;
and
a
92
o i n t
r a t i n g b y The
Wine
Advocate
f o r the B.R.
ORN
hardonnay.
34.
A m o n g s t h e v a r i o u s v a r i e t a l s o f w in e
produced under the B.R.
ORN
ark Cabernet
Sauvignon
has c o n s i s t e n t l y
b e en the
m o s t widely
acclaimed v a r i e t a l amon g st t h e s e
wines. B.R. ORN abernet Sauvignon wines
have
received award s
such
as a Reserve
Grand
Cham pion
Bes t
o f
Show and
Double Gold medal
a t
the
H o u s t o n
R o d e o
Un corked
I n t e r n a t i o n a l
W i n e
Competition
i l v e r
medal
a t
the San
Francisco Chronicle
W i n e Competition
and
r a t i n g s o f
9 o i n t s
b y Wine
Spectator
9 nd 91
p o i n t s
by
Th e
Wine Advocate
90 92
nd
94 o i n t s by Wine
Enthusiast
and
92
o i n t s b y Wine C r i t i c .
35. r e s e n t l y , P l a i n t i f f o f f e r s f o r s a l e over 10
unique Cabernet Sauvignon
wines
b y
v i n t a g e
under
h e
B.R.
ORN
rand.
36.
In
a d d i t i o n
t o
wine
the
B.R.
ORN
rand
has b e c o m e a s s o c i a t e d
with
s e v e r a l o t h e r
g ood s and
s e r v i c e s
including
o l i v e
o i l ,
v i n e g a r , o t h e r food
r e l a t e d
goods
weddings and
a
music
e s t i v a l .
37.
Since
1990
an u l t r a-premium
o l i v e
o i l
has
been o f f e r e d
b y
l a i n t i f f
and t s p r e d e c e s s o r s
f e a t u r i n g
the B.R. ORN
ark and t h i s B.R.
ORN
l i v e o i l i s
now
a well recognized
COMPLAINT
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brand of
gourmet
o l i v e
o i l . P l a i n t i f f
a l s o o f f e r s
a
l i n e
of
vinegar
products,
mustards,
spreads and
sauces under
the B.R.
CORN
ark.
38.
The
grounds
of
the B.R.
Cohn
Winery
a r e
r e g u l a r l y
sought
a f t e r t o
host
wedding
ceremonies.
As
videnced by
wedding
announcements
found
i n
p e r i o d i c a l s such
as
Th e
Palm
Beac h
Post and The
Milwaukee Journal S e n t i n e l ,
f i a n c e e s
and
t h e i r
g u e s t s
from
a c r o s s
the
country t r a v e l t o
B.R.
Cohn
Winery f o r
n u p t i a l s
hosted on
the
winery
grounds.
39.
B.R.
Cohn
Winery
has been
the
host of
the
v i b r a n t B.R.
Cohn
Charity
Sonoma Mus ic
F e s t i v a l ,
w h i c h w a s
hosted
a t
the
B.R.
C o h n
Winery
f o r
9
y e a r s .
This c o n c e r t
r o u t i n e l y
draws
crowds
of
more
than
10,000
a t t e n d e e s .
40. This
pervasiveness
of
the
B.R.
CORN rand i s
i l l u s t r a t e d
b y
the
more
than t h r e e
hundred
a r t i c l e s r e f e r e n c i n g or d i s c u s s i n g t h e B.R. CORN
rand
w h i c h
have
been
published
i n
j u s t t h e
l a s t
t h r e e y e a r s . mall sampling
of
h e s e
p u b l i c a t i o n s
i n c l u d e
The
Wine E n t h u s i a s t , Wine
Spectator, The S a n
Francisco
C h r o n i c l e , The Press
Democrat,
New York
Times, Forbes,
Wines V i n e s ,
North
Bay
Business
Journal,
Market Watch,
Beverage
Dynamic s , and Wine Business
Monthly.
41.
As
evidenced
by
the
s a l e s
and
r e c o g n i t i o n f o r t s B.R.
CORN ine,
P l a i n t i f f
owns
extremely
v a l u a b l e
goodwill
i n
i t s
B.R.
CORN mark
f o r
wine, and
the mark h as
e x t r a o r d i n a r y f i n a n c i a l
v a l u e .
42.
As
r e s u l t
of
the
nationwide, continuous
d i s t r i b u t i o n ,
promotion and
s a l e of l a i n t i f f s
B.R.
CORN
rand wine,
the
B.R.
CORN
a rk has
a l s o
acquired
d i s t i n c t i v e n e s s a mo n g
wine consumers.
43.
l a i n t i f f
possesses
p r o p r i e t a r y
customer
data f o r the
B.R.
CORN
i ne
brand,
n c l u d i n g
the
i d e n t i t y
of
B.R.CORN
ine
customers nationwide,
the
types
and v a r i e t a l s of
wine
purchased
b y B.R.
CORN
ine customers,
and
the
amounts
and
purchase
p r i c e of
B.R.
CORN ine s o l d
to
those
customers. The
development of
h i s
customer data
w a s t h e
r e s u l t
of a
s u b s t a n t i a l
investment
of
time, energy,
and money
on
the
p a r t
of
l a i n t i f f l s
predecessor
- i n
- i n t e r e s t .
COMPLAINT
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44.
l a i n t i f f s
customer
data was
among
the Purchased
Assets an d P l a i n t i f f
a c q u i r e d the
customer
data
a t c o n s i d e r a b l e c o s t . P l a i n t i f f s customer data h as
s i g n i f i c a n t economic
value i n t h a t i t
r e p r e s e n t s
information
not
g e n e r a l l y
known
within
the
t r a d e
an d i s a
compilation
of many e a r s of
e s e a r c h an d
customer communications.
45.
l a i n t i f f an d P l a i n t i f f s predecessor
- i n
- i n t e r e s t m a d e reasonable
e f f o r t s t o
i n s u r e t h a t
the
customer data
remained a e c r e t b y
d i s c l o s i n g
the data
only
to
those
employees who
needed
the information o
perform
t h e i r
jobs.
46.
Upon
information
an d b e l i e f ,
Daniel Cohn misappropriated
the
a b o v e- d e s c r i b e d
customer
data
owne d
b y
P l a i n t i f f b y
copying
or removing the
customer
d a t a b e f o r e
a s s i g n i n g
i t
as
p a r t
o f
he Purchased
Assets.
47. Upon
information
an d
b e l i e f , once
i t
b e c a m e
c l e a r
t h a t
Daniel
Cohn
an d
h i s
f a t h e r
wou l d
h a v e
o
s e l l
t h e i r i n t e r e s t
i n
the
B.R.
ORN ine
brand,
Daniel
Cohn
ecided t o
develop a wine brand
e a t u r i n g
h i s
d i s t i n c t i v e
surname,
Cohn.
48.
This i n t e n t
i s
i l l u s t r a t e d
b y
Daniel Cohn's
purchase
o f the domain
n a m e
dancohnwine.com
on
June
15,
2015,
while h e was
i n
n e g o t i a t i o n s with P l a i n t i f f f o r
P l a i n t i f f
s purchase o f
he Purchased
Assets
an d
the
B.R. ORN
rand.
49.
l a i n t i f f
h as
f u r t h e r l e a r n e d t h a t once i t
b e c a m e
c l e a r t o
Daniel Cohn h a t
t h e
a s s e t
purchase b y P l a i n t i f f would b e completed,
Daniel C ohn
s t a t e d h e wou l d take h i s
new
brand, o l i c i t B.R. ORN
e t a i l
accounts,
e l l
those
r e t a i l
accounts h a t
t h e r e h a d
been
a
h o s t i l e
takeover
an d
t h a t
h i s
family
no
longer own e d B.R. CORN
nd suggest
t h a t
those
r e t a i l
accounts
r e p l a c e
the
B.R.
ORN
ine
with
h e
new
DANIEL ORN
ine.
50. u s t
a
f ew days a f t e r
the
a c q u i s i t i o n
o f
he
B.R.
ORN rand
b y
P l a i n t i f f , on
J u l y
30,
2015,
Daniel
Cohn
aused
Defenda nt, Daniel
Cohn
Wine
C e l l a r s
LLC
o
b e
f orme d
i n
the S t a t e of elaware.
51.One
d ay
l a t e r ,
D W
a s r e g i s t e r e d as a
o r e i g n
e n t i t y
with
the
S e c r e t a r y of t a t e of
the
S t a t e
o f a l i f o r n i a , a p r e r e q u i s i t e
for
D W
o d o business n
C a l i f o r n i a .
52.
T h e
formation of
D W
ccurred while
Daniel
C ohn
w as
engag e d an d being
compensated
b y l a i n t i f f
t o perform s e r v i c e s
r e l a t e d
t o
t h e B.R.
ORN
ine
brand.
COMPLAINT 8
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53.
Upon i n f o r m a t i o n
and b e l i e f ,
Daniel
Cohn took many
a d d i t i o n a l
s t e p s
t o
c r e a t e
a
competing
wine
brand
with
B.R.
CORN while he
was c o n s u l t i n g f o r
and
b e i n g
compensated b y l a i n t i f f .
54.On
September 11,
2015,
RB
Win e
A s s o c i a t e s , LLC,
a wine
producer
t h a t
custom
produces wine f o r o t h e r
p a r t i e s
f o r
r e s a l e ,
a p p l i e d f o r
a
C e r t i f i c a t e of
Label Approval
from
t h e
U.S.
Alcohol
and Tobacco Tax
and
Trade
Bureau f o r
t h e DANIEL
CORN
wine
brand ( t h e
DCWC
OLA ).
The
l a b e l
proof
d i s p l a y e d i n
t h e
DCWC
COLA
f e a t u r e s
t h e
mark
DANIELCORN and s t a t e s t h a t
t h e wine i s
produced
and
b o t t l e d
by
DCWC.
Upon
i n f o r m a t i o n and b e l i e f ,
RB
Wi n e
A s s o c i a t e s ,
LLC
a p p l i e d f o r t h e
DCWC
COLA
t
t h e
d i r e c t i o n of Defendant
DCWC
n d / o r
Daniel
Cohn.
55.
The
DCWC
COLA l l u s t r a t e s t h a t
Daniel
Cohn
a n d / o r
DCWC
eveloped,
r i o r
t o
t h e
submission of
h i s
COLA,
l a b e l design
t o f e a t u r e t h e
DANIEL
CORN mark.
DCWC
and/or Daniel Cohn took
t h e s e a c t i o n s while
Daniel Cohn
was
engaged b y l a i n t i f f .
56.
Defendants r e l e a s e d a
2014
Cabernet
Sauvignon
wine i n
D e c em b e r
of
2015 f e a t u r i n g
t h e DANIELCORN mark
the DCWine )
57.
According t o
t h e
l a b e l ,
t h e DC
i n e s
produced from C a l i f o r n i a
g r a p e s . .
58.
Upon i n f o r m a t i o n
and
b e l i e f ,
Defendants
Daniel Cohn
and
DCWC
produced
a
C a l i f o r n i a
Cabernet Sauvignon
wine
f e a t u r i n g
t h e
DANIEL
CORN mark
with
t h e
i n t e n t t o
market
and o f f e r
such
wine
as a d i r e c t s u b s t i t u t e f o r
P l a i n t i f f s
B.R.
CORN
Cabernet
Sauvignon
wine.
59.
Upon n f o r m a t i o n
and b e l i e f , Daniel
Cohn
and DCWC ave
used
P l a i n t i f f l s
p r o p r i e t a r y
and c o n f i d e n t i a l
customer
account
i n f o r m a t i o n
t o
s o l i c i t
t h e
purchase of
DANIEL
CORN
rand
wine b y
l a i n t i f f s
customers.
60. Upon
n f o r m a t i o n
and
b e l i e f ,
Daniel
Cohn
has
d i r e c t l y
proposed
t h e
purchase of
h e
DC
Win e as
a
s u b s t i t u t e
f o r B.R.
CORN Cabernet
Sauvignon wine t o
s e v e r a l
of
P l a i n t i f f l
s
customers.
61.
Upon n f o r m a t i o n and b e l i e f ,
a t l e a s t
t h r e e
of
l a i n t i f f l s
customers who
were
s o l i c i t e d
b y
Daniel
Cohn
have agreed t o
purchase
t h e
DC
i n e a s
a
s u b s t i t u t e
f o r
B.R. CORN
COMPLAINT
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wine
and
have stopped c a r r y i n g
the B.R.
ORN ine. I t i s u n l i k e l y
t h a t a i n g l e
r e t a i l
account
would c a r r y both B.R. ORN ine and DANIELCORN
ine as h i s
would be
confusing to
customers.
62.
The back
l a b e l
o f t h e D
Wine
s t a t e s ,
Vinted and
B o t t l e d
b y
Daniel Cohn
Wine
Company Healdsburg,
C a l i f o r n i a ,
i n d i c a t i n g
t h e
wine
was
produced i n Healdsburg,
CA.
63.
The f r o n t
l a b e l
o f the D
ine
s t a t e s , Expertly C r a f t e d A r t i s a n
Wines
Daniel Cohn
Wine Co. Sonom a,
C a l i f o r n i a ,
(emphasis added) f a l s e l y
suggesting
the
wine
was
produced
i n S o n o m a ,CA n an attempt to u n f a i r l y a s s o c i a t e
the brand with the
legacy
and
the goodwill
o f
h e
B.R.
Cohn Winery.
64.
The
back
l a b e l o f the
D ine a l s o s t a t e s ,
My
amily
has been c r a f t i n g
the f i n e s t
wines
i n
the
Sonoma
Valley
f o r
over
30 y e a r s . This
statement i s
a l s o m ade
o n
DCWC's
ebsite,
dancohnwine.com i n an attempt to
u n f a i r l y
a s s o c i a t e
the
brand with
the
legacy
and
the go odwill o f he
B.R.
Cohn inery.
65. Upon nformation
and
b e l i e f , Defendants
have
s o l d and
d i s t r i b u t e d ,
and
continue
o s e l l
and d i s t r i b u t e
t h e D ine
o
various r e t a i l e r s
t h a t
s e l l
wine
throughout
the U.S.
and
i n
C a l i f o r n i a ,
including
i n t h i s j u d i c i a l d i s t r i c t .
For
example,
the
website
www.wine-
searcher.com
s h o w s t h e D ine l i s t e d
f o r s a l e a t
r e t a i l e r s l o c a t e d i n New
e r s e y ,
Connecticut,New ork , assachusetts, l o r i d a ,
Oregon
and C a l i f o r n i a .
66. Defendants adopted t h e DANIEL ORN
mark a f t e r P l a i n t i f f l s
adoption, use
and
r e g i s t r a t i o n
o f
t s
B.R.
ORN ark.
67.
The DANIEL
ORN rademark
i s
confusingly s i m i l a r t o
P l a i n t i f f ' s B.R.
OHN ar k
given
t h a t the m a r k DANIEL
ORN ncompasses
the
dominant
term
ORN
nd
i s
t h e r e f o r e
highly i m i l a r i n appearance, sound
and connotation
o
P l a i n t i f f ' s B.R.
ORN
mark, and
t h a t
the goods o f f e r e d b y
Defendants under t h e
DANIEL ORN
ark
a r e
i d e n t i c a l
to the goods
which
P l a i n t i f f
o f f e r s
under t h e B.R.
ORN
mark, namely
Cabernet
Sauvignon wine m ade
f r o m C a l i f o r n i a g r a p e s .
COMPLAINT 10
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68.
n
l a t e
December
of
2015
P l a i n t i f f
became
aware
t h a t Defendants
were r e l e a s i n g a new
wine
brand c a l l e d
DANIEL
CORN
hen t
received
r e p o r t s
from
t s
s a l e s
f o r c e i n the
f i e l d t h a t Daniel Cohn had been
approaching
and
s o l i c i t i n g
d i s t r i b u t o r s
and r e t a i l e r s
about h e D
ine.
69.On
anuary
5,
2016, l a i n t i f f
s e n t
Daniel
Cohn
demand
l e t t e r r e q u e s t i n g
t h a t he cease
a l l
use of he
term CORN
s
p a r t
of
any trademark
or
r a d e name
n
a s s o c i a t i o n
with
wine as the
D ine
n f r i n g e s the famous B.R.
ORN
rademark
and
i s
an
n e q u i t a b l e
attempt
t o
misappropriate
t h e
goodwill of
the
B.R.
ORN
rand which
P l a i n t i f f
had
purchased
from
the Cohn n t i t i e s . The
l e t t e r
demanded a response
by January
15,
2016.
70. l a i n t i f f
a l s o
sent
a demand
l e t t e r
t o t h e
producer
of
h e DANIEL ORN
ine,
RB
Wine A s s o c i a t e s ,
LLC o c a t e d
i n Healdsburg, a l i f o r n i a , w i t h i n
t h i s
j u d i c i a l
d i s t r i c t .
71.
r i o r
t o the
January
15,
2016
d e a d l i n e , counsel
f o r
Daniel
Cohn
o n t a c t e d
counsel
f o r
P l a i n t i f f
and advised
t h a t
Daniel
Cohn would
consider
complying
with
the demands
made
by
P l a i n t i f f ,
provided t h e p a r t i e s could r e s o l v e
i s s u e s
r e l a t e d
t o
wine a l r e a d y
produced.
72.
During
the course of the next
four
weeks
the
p a r t i e s
continued t o
n e g o t i a t e
t h e
p o s s i b i l i t y of
an
amicable
r e s o l u t i o n of
the
d i s p u t e .
However, such
n e g o t i a t i o n s were
slowed by the u n a v a i l a b i l i t y of
Daniel
Cohn s
counsel due
to a
death
i n the family,
and
by the
involvement
of
new n v e s t o r s
i n Daniel Cohn s v e n t u r e i n j e c t i n g
themselves n t o
the
n e g o t i a t i o n s .
73. During
the
week
of
ebruary 1 5 t h P l a i n t i f f believed t h a t
t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s had
reached a
s t a n d s t i l l
and
demanded
a
response
to
i t s f i n a l s e t t l e m e n t o f f e r
n o l a t e r
than
Monday,
February 22nd.
Late
on February
22,
2016,
Daniel Cohn
responded t o
P l a i n t i f f s f i n a l
o f f e r
by r e v e r s i n g
h i s
p r i o r p o s i t i o n s and
maintaining
t h a t
D W
ould not
cease
use
of
DANIEL ORN s a brand name o r
wine.
Counsel
f o r
P l a i n t i f f then
advised
Daniel
Cohn s
counsel
h a t
P l a i n t i f f
would be
proceeding
with
t h i s
a c t i o n .
COMPLAINT
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24
25
26
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74.
l a i n t i f f
s u b s e q u e n t l y
came
t o l e a r n from a p o s t i n g on
s o c i a l
media t h a t D a n i e l
Cohn
had
p l a n n e d
f o r
h i s n a t i o n a l
d i s t r i b u t i o n of
h e
DANIEL
CORN ine
t o
t a k e
p l a c e
a t
t h e end of
February
2016
s u g g e s t i n g t h a t D a n i e l
Cohn s a t t e m p t
t o n e g o t i a t e
a
s e t t l e m e n t was a
sham
n t e n d e d
t o
b u y
time
o r him
o
r e l e a s e t h e
i n f r i n g i n g
w i n e .
75.
Upon i n f o r m a t i o n
and
b e l i e f ,
Defendants
wine
b e a r i n g
t h e
DANIEL
CORN
mark
c o n t i n u e s
t o
be
s o l d
i n
t h e
m a r k e t .
76.
Use
of
h e
DANIEL
CORN
mark
on wine
i s
l i k e l y
t o confuse and
m i s l e a d
consumers
i n t o
b e l i e v i n g
t h a t t h e DANIEL CORN wine
i s
a f f i l i a t e d w i t h ,
a s s o c i a t e d
w i t h ,
c o n n e c t e d t o ,
o r
sponsored b y P l a i n t i f f
o r
t s
w e l l
- e s t a b l i s h e d B.R.
CORN b r a n d .
P l a i n t i f f
w i l l
be
hanned
b y
such c o n f u s i o n
and
Defendant
w i l l
u n j u s t l y
b e n e f i t
from
such
a s s o c i a t i o n .
77. l a i n t i f f w i l l
be
f u r t h e r harmed a s consumers w i l l
p u r c h a s e Defendant
DCWC s
DANIEL
CORN
ine
b e l i e v i n g t
t o
be
l a i n t i f f s wine and
h e r e b y
f o r e g o p u r c h a s e
of
P l a i n t i f f s B .R . CORN
wine,
r e s u l t i n g
i n
l o s s of
s a l e s
t o P l a i n t i f f from
D e f e n d a n t s
D W
n f a i r
c o m p e t i t i o n . This has
a l r e a d y
o c c u r r e d
i n
t h e
m a r k e t .
78.
Defendants
i n f r i n g i n g
use
of
t h e
DANIEL CORN mark
has
u n j u s t l y
i n c r e a s e d
t h e
p r o f i t a b i l i t y
of
h e
DANIELCORN
rand t o
t h e d e t r i m e n t of l a i n t i f f
and a t no
c o s t
t o
Defendant.
79. Defendants o n t i n u e d i n f r i n g i n g use
of
h e
c o n f u s i n g l y
s i m i l a r
DANIEL
CORN mark
w i l l harm P l a i n t i f f
f i n a n c i a l l y
b y
d i m i n i s h i n g t h e v a l u e
of
l a i n t i f f s
B.R.
CORN mark
and
endangering
t h e
a b i l i t y
of l a i n t i f f s B.R.
CORN
mark
t o s e r v e
a s
a
unique
and
d i s t i n c t i v e
s o u r c e
i n d i c a t o r f o r
P l a i n t i f f
a n d / o r
P l a i n t i f f s
goods.
80.
Unless
r e s t r a i n e d
b y t h i s
C o u r t ,
Defendants
w i l l
c o n t i n u e
t o
u n f a i r l y
compete
w i t h
P l a i n t i f f b y u s i n g t h e DANIEL
CORN
mark,
wherefore P l a i n t i f f
i s
w i t h o u t a d e q u a t e
remedy t
law.
81.
This c a s e
i s
an e x c e p t i o n a l c a s e
e n t i t l i n g
P l a i n t i f f t o t r e b l e
damages
and
a t t o r n e y s f e e s ,
and Defendants conduct
u r t h e r e n t i t l e s P l a i n t i f f
t o p u n i t i v e
damages.
COMPLAINT
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5
6
7
8
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13
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15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
7
28
FIRSTCAUSEOFACTION
(Federal
T radem ark Infringement
under
15 U.S.C. §1114)
82. l a i n t i f f
r e s t a t e s a n d r e a v e r s the a l l e g a t i o n s of arag raphs 1 through 81,
n c l u s i v e ,
a n d
the
a c t s
of Defendants
a s s e r t e d t h e r e i n
as
i f s e t f o r t h i n
f u l l as
p a r t
of
h i s
Ca use
of
Action.
83. Defendants' above
- a v e r r e d
a c t i o n s
c o n s t i t u t e
use
i n
co mme r c e
of a r e p r o d u c t i o n ,
c o u n t e r f e i t , copy
or c o l o r a b l e i m i t a t i o n
of
l a i n t i f f
s
e g i s t e r e d
m a r k
in
connection with
the
s a l e ,
o f f e r i n g f o r
s a l e ,
d i s t r i b u t i o n
or
a d v e r t i s i n g
of
goods
or
s e r v i c e s
on or i n
connection with
wh i c h s u c h
use i s
l i k e l y
to
cause
consumer
confusion, deception
or
mistake as to s o u r c e , sponsorship or
approval of
Defendants'
a f o r e s a i d goods
or
s e r v i c e s i n
v i o l a t i o n
of
15 U.S.C. §1114.
SE ONDCAUSEOFACTION
(Federal
Unfair Competition
under
15
U.S. C. §1125(a))
84.
l a i n t i f f
r e s t a t e s a n d r e a v e r s
the
a l l e g a t i o n s of Parag raphs
1
through
83,
n c l u s i v e , a n d
the
a c t s
of
Defendants
a s s e r t e d
t h e r e i n
as i f s e t
f o r t h
i n
f u l l as
p a r t
of h i s Ca use of
Action.
85.
e f e n d a n t s above- a v e r r e d a c t i o n s
c o n s t i t u t e
u s e
i n commerce
of a word,
n a m e o r
d e v i c e
and
f a l s e d e s i g n a t i o n
of o r i g i n which i s
l i k e l y
t o c a u s e c o n f u s i o n , o r
t o
c a u s e
m i s t a k e , o r
t o
d e c e i v e a s
t o a f f i l i a t i o n ,
c o n n e c t i o n o r
a s s o c i a t i o n
of Defendant
w i t h
P l a i n t i f f
o r
a s
t o
t h e
o r i g i n , s p o n s o r s h i p o r a p p r o v a l
of
h e goods
o f f e r e d i n c o n n e c t i o n
t h e r e w i t h i n v i o l a t i o n
of
15 U.S.C.
1 1 2 5 ( a ) .
THIRD
CAUSE
OF
ACTION
( S t a t e
U n f a i r
C o m p e t i t i o n under C a l .
Bus.
Prof.
Code § 7200)
86.
l a i n t i f f
r e s t a t e s
and r e a v e r s t h e
a l l e g a t i o n s
of
a r a g r a p h s
1
t h r o u g h
85,
n c l u s i v e ,
and
t h e a c t s of D e f e n d a n t s a s s e r t e d
t h e r e i n
a s
i f
s e t f o r t h
i n f u l l
a s
p a r t of
h i s
Cause
of
Action.
COMPLAINT
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5
6
7
8
9
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12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
2 0
21
2 2
2 3
2 4
25
2 6
2 7
28
87.
D e f e n d a n t s
above- a v e r r e d a c t i o n s
c o n s t i t u t e
u n l a w f u l ,
u n f a i r
o r
f r a u d u l e n t
b u s i n e s s
a c t s o r p r a c t i c e s which have
r e s u l t e d
i n a c t u a l
harm
and
f i n a n c i a l
l o s s t o
P l a i n t i f f
i n
v i o l a t i o n o f a l .
Bus.
Pr of . C od e § 7 2 0 0 .
FOURTH
CAUSE
OF
ACTION
( F a l s e
o r M i s l e a d i n g
S t a t e m e n t s
u n d e r C a l .
Bus.
Prof.
C od e
§
7500)
88.
l a i n t i f f r e s t a t e s
and
r e a v e r s t h e
a l l e g a t i o n s
of
a r a g r a p h s
1
t h r o u g h
87, n c l u s i v e ,
and
t h e
a c t s
o f D e f e n d a n t s
a s s e r t e d
t h e r e i n
a s
i f
s e t f o r t h
i n
f u l l a s p a r t of t h i s
Cause
of
A c t i o n .
89. e f e n d a n t s above- a v e r r e d
a c t i o n s
c o n s t i t u t e
t h e
d i s s e m i n a t i o n
and
making o f
n t r u e
o r m i s l e a d i n g
s t a t e m e n t s ,
which b y t h e e x e r c i s e
o f
r e a s o n a b l e
c a r e
s h o u l d
have
been
k n o w n
t o
be f a l s e
o r
m i s l e a d i n g , n v i o l a t i o n
of
a l .
Bus. Prof.
C od e § 7500.
FIFTH
CAUSEOF
ACTION
Common
Law
rademark
I n f r i n g e m e n t )
90.
l a i n t i f f r e s t a t e s
and
r e a v e r s
t h e a l l e g a t i o n s o f a r a g r a p h s 1 t h r o u g h
89,
n c l u s i v e , and
t h e a c t s
of D e f e n d a n t s
a s s e r t e d t h e r e i n
a s
i f
s e t f o r t h i n f u l l
a s p a r t
of
t h i s
Cause o f
A c t i o n .
91.
e f e n d a n t s
above
- a v e r r e d
a c t i o n s
c o n s t i t u t e
t r a d e m a r k
i n f r i n g e m e n t
and
p a s s i n g o f f
n
v i o l a t i o n
of
h e
common aw
o f a l i f o r n i a .
SIXTHCAUSE
OF
ACTION
Common
La w
U n f a i r C o m p e t i t i o n )
92. l a i n t i f f
r e s t a t e s
and r e a v e r s
t h e
a l l e g a t i o n s
of
a r a g r a p h s 1 t h r o u g h 91, n c l u s i v e ,
and
t h e a c t s
of
D e f e n d a n t s a s s e r t e d
t h e r e i n a s i f s e t f o r t h
i n
f u l l a s p a r t of
t h i s Cause o f
A c t i o n .
93. e f e n d a n t s
above
- a v e r r e d
a c t i o n s c o n s t i t u t e
a
f a l s e
d e s i g n a t i o n of
r i g i n i n
v i o l a t i o n
o f h e
common
aw o f
a l i f o r n i a .
COMPLAINT
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23
24
25
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27
28
SEVENTH CAUSEOFACTION
(Misappropriation
o f
Trade
S e c r e t s
under
Cal. C iv.
C o d e
§3426)
94.
l a i n t i f f
r e s t a t e s
and
r e a v e r s
the
a l l e g a t i o n s o f
Paragraphs
1
through 93,
n c l u s i v e , a n d
the
a c t s
o f
Defendants
a s s e r t e d t h e r e i n
as i f s e t f o r t h
i n
f u l l
a s p a r t o f t h i s
C a u s e
o f
Action.
95.
Defendants
ab ove
- a v e r r e d a c t i o n s c o n s t i t u t e t h e m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n o f
P l a i n t i f f l s
t r a d e
s e c r e t
information i n v i o l a t i o n o f al. Civ.
C o d e
§3426.
EIGHTH CAUSEOFACTION
(CommonLaw
isappropriation o f
Trade S e c r e t s )
96. l a i n t i f f
r e s t a t e s
a n d
r e a v e r s
the a l l e g a t i o n s o f Paragraphs
1
through
95,
n c l u s i v e ,
a n d
the
a c t s
o f
Defendants
a s s e r t e d t h e r e i n
as
i f s e t f o r t h
i n
f u l l
as
p a r t
o f
t h i s
C a u s e o f
Action.
97. Defendants
ab ove
- a v e r r e d a c t i o n s c o n s t i t u t e the m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n o f
l a i n t i f f s
t r a d e
s e c r e t
information i n v i o l a t i o n
o f he
common
a w o f
a l i f o r n i a .
PRAYER FORRELIEF
WHEREFORE,
l a i n t i f f
r e q u e s t s t h a t
judgme n t
be
e n t e r e d as
o l l o w s :
1 .
Th at
Defendants,
t h e i r p r i n c i p a l s , p a r t n e r s ,
f r a n c h i s e e s ,
a g e n t s ,
employees,
l i c e n s e e s , a f f i l i a t e s , d i s t r i b u t o r s , producers,
a n y
p a r e n t
and
s u b s i d i a r y
c o m p a n i e s,
a t t o r n e y s a n d
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
a n d a l l o f
those i n p r i v i t y with
i t
or
a c t i n g under i ts
d i r e c t i o n
and/or
pursuant
to
i t s c o n t r o l , be
p r e l i m i n a r i l y
and permanently
enjoined
a n d
r e s t r a i n e d , f r o m
d i r e c t l y or i n d i r e c t l y :
a .
Us i n g
t h e
name
r m a r k
DANIELCORN
r
any
term
or
m a rk
confusingly
s i m i l a r
t o the B .R .CORN
ark,
ncluding the term
CORN,
n connection
with
the
advertisement, promotion, d i s t r i b u t i o n ,
o f f e r i n g
f o r s a l e or s e l l i n g
o f
wine,
r
products
or
s e r v i c e s r e l a t e d
t o
wine;
b.
Performing a n y a c t s o r
using a n y trademarks, n a m e s,
words, i m a g e s
or
phrases
t h a t
a r e
l i k e l y
to
cause
confusion, t o
cause
mistake,
to
deceive
or
COMPLAINT 15
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5
6
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8
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10
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14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
otherwise mislead
t h e t r a d e
o r
p u b l i c i n t o b e l i e v i n g
t h a t P l a i n t i f f
a nd
Defendants a r e o n e
i n
t h e
s a m e
o r
a r e
i n
s o m e w a y
connected o r t h a t
P l a i n t i f f
i s a sponsor
o f Defendants
o r t h a t
t h e
g o o d s
o f
Defendants
o r i g i n a t e w i t h
P l a i n t i f f o r
a r e
l i k e l y t o
l e a d t h e
t r a d e
o r
p u b l i c t o
a s s o c i a t e
Defendants
w i t h
P l a i n t i f f ;
c .
Continuing
t h e m i s a p p r o p r i a t i o n o f
l a i n t i f f s
t r a d e
s e c r e t s
by ongoing
us e
o f l a i n ti f f s c u s t o m e r
d a t a ;
2.
That
Defendants
be
r e q u i r e d
t o
f i l e with
t h e Court, an d
s e r v e o n P l a i n t i f f ,
a
s t a t e m e n t under oat h e v i d e n c i n g
compliance w i t h
any
p r e l i m i n a r y
o r
permanent
i n j u n c t i v e
r e l i e f
ordered
by t h e
C o u r t
w i t h i n
f o u r t e e n (14)
days a f t e r
t h e
e n t r y
o f
s u c h
o r d e r o f
n j u n c t i v e r e l i e f ;
3 .
T h a t
Defendants,
t h e i r
p r i n c i p a l s ,
p a r t n e r s ,
f r a n c hi s e e s , a g e n t s ,
employees,
l i c e n s e e s , a f f i l i a t e s ,
d i s t r i b u t o r s ,
p r o d u c e r s ,
any p a r e n t an d
s u b s i d i a r y
c o m p a n i e s ,
a t t o r n e y s
and
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s and
a l l o f those
i n
p r i v i t y
w i t h i t o r
a c t i n g
under
i t s
d i r e c t i o n
a n d / o r pursuant
t o
i t s
c o n t r o l be
r e q u i r e d
t o
d e l i v e r
u p o r d e s t r u c t i o n :
a . All
a d v e r t i s i n g ,
promotional m a t e r i a l s , p o i n t
o f
a l e
m a t e r i a l s ,
l a b e l s ,
c a p s ,
c o r k s , n e c k e r s , packaging,
an d
any
o t h e r
m a t e r i a l s
b e a r i n g t h e
i n f r i n g i n g
m a r k t o g e t h e r with
a l l a r t w o r k ,
p l a t e s ,
m o l d s ,
m a t r i c e s and o t h e r
m e a n s a nd
m a t e r i a l s
f o r m a k i n g
an d
reproducing t h e s a m e ;
b .
All
copies o f
h e P l a i n t i f f s
t r a d e s e c r e t c u s t o m e r
d a t a
an d i n f o r m a t i o n ;
4.
T h a t
Defendants
be
o r d e r e d
t o
r e c a l l
a l l i n f r i n g i n g
w i n e b e a r i n g
t h e DANIEL
CORN
a r k
i n t h e
marke tplace f r o m r e t a i l e r s ;
5 .
T h a t Defendants be ordered
t o
pay
P l a i n t i f f
monetary
d a m a g e s
f o r
t h e h a r m
r e s u l t i n g
f r o m
infringement
o f
P l a i n t if f s
B.R.
CORN
a r k , i n
a n
a m o u n t t o be
de t e rmined a t r i a l ;
6.
T h a t
P l a i n t if f s
d a m a g e s be
t r e b l e d
an d t h a t
Defendants
be o r d e r e d
t o pa y
P l a i n t i f f s a t t o r n e y s f e e s
o n
t h e b a s i s
t h a t t h i s
i s
a n
e x c e p t i o n a l
c a s e ;
7 .
T h a t
l a i n t i f f
b e a w a r d e d p u n i t i v e
d a m a g e s
as a
r e s u l t
o f
efendants conduct;
a nd
COMPLAINT
Case 3:16-cv-00988 Document 1 Filed 02/29/16 Page 16 of 18
8/20/2019 Vintage Wine Estates v. Dan Cohn - trademark complaint.pdf
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8.
That
P l a i n t i f f be
g r a n t e d
such
o t h e r
and
f u r t h e r
r e l i e f
as
t h i s
Court
s h a l l deem j u s t
and proper on t h e m e r i t s .
Dated:
F e b r u a r y
29 2016
R e s p e c t f u l l y s u b m i t t e d
DICKF~ON,
~ATMAN OGARTY
Chris
h e r
J .
Pa
s r e l l i
Corinna
a r l t o n
1455
F i r s t S t r e e t S t e .
301
Napa
a l i f o r n i a
94559
T e l e p h o n e :
707-252-7122
F a c s i m i l e : 707-255-6876
A t t o r n e y s
f o r
P l a i n t i f f
V i n t a g e Wine s t a t e s n c .
COMPLAIN I~ 17
Case 3:16-cv-00988 Document 1 Filed 02/29/16 Page 17 of 18
8/20/2019 Vintage Wine Estates v. Dan Cohn - trademark complaint.pdf
18/18
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7
8
9~
10
1 1
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16
17
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20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
DEMANDFORJURY
TRIAL
P l a i n t i f f
hereby r e q u e s t s a r i a l
b y
ury n
t h i s
m a t t e r .
Dated:
February
29 2016
R e s p e c t f u l l y
s u b m i t t e d ,
DICKENSON
EATMAN
OGARTY
J . 3 2 t t Ue
en
C h r i s t o p h e r
Pas a r e l l i
Corinna
M.W.E
r l t o n
1455
i r s t S t r e e t ,
S t e .
301
Napa
a l i f o r n i a
94559
Telephone: 707-252-7122
F a c s i m i l e :
707-255-6876
A t t o r n e y s
f o r P l a i n t i f f ,
Vintage
Win e
s t a t e s ,
I n c .
Case 3:16-cv-00988 Document 1 Filed 02/29/16 Page 18 of 18
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