Chicago Business Litigation Lawyer Blog
A sports nutrition and wellness consulting firm sued a major manufacturer of sports drinks, arguing that the manufacturer had violated the consulting firm’s trademark when it referred to itself as “The Sports Fuel Company.” The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the manufacturer. The appellate panel affirmed, finding that the manufacturer used the phrase in question as a descriptor and not a source indicator. The panel found that this was an example of fair use.
SportFuel is a Chicago-based sports nutrition and wellness consulting firm whose clients include several of Chicago’s professional sports teams and their athletes. The company provides personalized nutritional consulting services to professional and amateur athletes and also sells SportFuel branded dietary supplements. SportFuel holds two registered trademarks for “SportFuel.” One of SportFuel’s trademarks became incontestable in 2013, and the second was registered for the first time in 2015. Continue reading ›