As summarized by Law 360, “Hollywood mega-agency William Morris Endeavor’s bid to toss a suit alleging it conspired against an author-client (Dov Seidman) so a related company (Droga5 LLC) could infringe his work for a Chobani yogurt advertising campaign was denied by a California judge Friday, who stayed the case until a New York court rules in a related suit.”
Seidman and his LRN Corp. originally sued Chobani and Droga5 LLC in June 2014, claiming they had intentionally ripped off his “How” marks based on his book, “How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything.” Seidman claims WME intentionally leaked his ideas to WME’s marketing subsidiary, Droga5 LLC, for yogurt maker Chobani LLC’s “How Matters” campaign. Seidman later filed a California complaint against WME with a sole cause of action; for breach of fiduciary duty.
According to Law 360, “In its motion to dismiss or stay the complaint, William Morris argued to the court that Seidman and his company LRN Corp. was already litigating a near identical suit in New York. In that action, Seidman sued Droga5 and Chobani, originally alleging federal trademark claims that the plaintiff subsequently dropped. Before the NY court, however, is the author’s motion to file a first amended complaint, which keeps the state trademark infringement and unfair competition claims and adds four new state law causes of action: unfair competition, unjust enrichment, abetting misappropriation and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, the latter two against Droga5 only.” Both cases are still pending as of this date.
Jiminian Law PLLC is devoted to helping clients who have been subject to trademark infringement and breaches of contract. Fair play and respect for intellectual properties and contracts are essential for a healthy economy and society. Trademark infringement and contract attorney, Danny Jiminian, is available for a free consultation at 917.388.3574 or 929.322.3546.
NY case: Seidman et al v. Chobani LLC et al, Docket No. 1:14-cv-04050 (S.D.N.Y. Jun 04, 2014).
CA case: Dov Seidman et al. v. William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC, Case No. BC613619 Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles.
Seidman and his LRN Corp. originally sued Chobani and Droga5 LLC in June 2014, claiming they had intentionally ripped off his “How” marks based on his book, “How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything.” Seidman claims WME intentionally leaked his ideas to WME’s marketing subsidiary, Droga5 LLC, for yogurt maker Chobani LLC’s “How Matters” campaign. Seidman later filed a California complaint against WME with a sole cause of action; for breach of fiduciary duty.
According to Law 360, “In its motion to dismiss or stay the complaint, William Morris argued to the court that Seidman and his company LRN Corp. was already litigating a near identical suit in New York. In that action, Seidman sued Droga5 and Chobani, originally alleging federal trademark claims that the plaintiff subsequently dropped. Before the NY court, however, is the author’s motion to file a first amended complaint, which keeps the state trademark infringement and unfair competition claims and adds four new state law causes of action: unfair competition, unjust enrichment, abetting misappropriation and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, the latter two against Droga5 only.” Both cases are still pending as of this date.
Jiminian Law PLLC is devoted to helping clients who have been subject to trademark infringement and breaches of contract. Fair play and respect for intellectual properties and contracts are essential for a healthy economy and society. Trademark infringement and contract attorney, Danny Jiminian, is available for a free consultation at 917.388.3574 or 929.322.3546.
NY case: Seidman et al v. Chobani LLC et al, Docket No. 1:14-cv-04050 (S.D.N.Y. Jun 04, 2014).
CA case: Dov Seidman et al. v. William Morris Endeavor Entertainment LLC, Case No. BC613619 Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles.
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