Litigation filed by Mortar Net USA, Ltd. to protect trademarks

Words: Tom Sourlis, Gary Johnson/Public/News/20120428160000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Mortar Net USA, Ltd., has filed a complaint in which Keene Building Products Co. is the defendant." />
Mortar Net USA, Ltd., has filed a complaint in which Keene Building Products Co. is the defendant.
Mortar Net USA, Ltd., has filed a complaint in the United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, Hammond Division in which Keene Building Products Co. of Mayfield Heights, Ohio is the defendant.

The matter relates to Keene’s recent announcement to introduce and promote a mortar collection device using the “industry —recognized” dovetail (or keystone) shape that Mortar Net has established through nearly 20 years of sales and promotion, in addition to protecting it under U.S. Registered Trademark Numbers 3,571,383 and 3,571,384.

Gary R. Johnson, President of Mortar Net said, “Tom Sourlis, the founder of our company, created the category of shaped mortar collection devices for cavity wall construction and from its start Mortar Net has used the same distinctive shape in its advertising, corporate branding and products.” Johnson continued, “We have committed millions of dollars to associate the company and its products with this shape and have generated over $100 million of revenue from products associated with this shape. It is a valuable asset of the company and we intend to vigorously protect its value.”
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