|
Judge dismisses a J&J claim agaisnt the Red Cross |
|
|
|
Written by Felix Da Silva (fdasilva@bitnip.com)
|
|
Thursday, 08 November 2007 |
 A federal judge has dismissed a key claim brought by Johnson &
Johnson against the American Red Cross which seeks to restrict the relief
organization's use of its iconic logo on first aid, health, safety and emergency
preparedness products.
According to Reuters, the judge granted a request by the American Red Cross to dismiss a claim in
J&J's lawsuit contending that the relief organization had promised not to
engage in certain commercial activity, including licensing the red cross symbol
to others and selling first-aid products in competition with J&J, according
to court papers.
J&J had sued American Red Cross in August over the use by the relief group
and its partners of J&J's trademark red cross logo which made absolutely no sense financially or public realtions wise.
However, other portions of the case can go forward, according to the ruling by U.S.
District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan.
J&J spokesman Marc Monseau said,
We are pleased with the court's decision, which denies in large part the Red
Cross's motion to dismiss. The decision clears the way for J&J to proceed with seven of the eight
claims that were originally alleged and allows the case to move forward as
planned. American Red Cross Chief Executive Mark Everson said,
I appreciate the court's decision and hope that Johnson & Johnson will
reassess their actions and drop the case altogether I still do not understand why J&J is still pursuing legal actions against the Red Cross. I shall wait for further information in order to comment on this further.
|
