ST. LOUIS — A North Carolina company is suing karaoke entertainment operators, citing alleged trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Phoenix Entertainment Partners LLC filed a complaint on March 30 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri against Kwench LLC, d/b/a Just John Nightclub; RJ International Inc., d/b/a RJ Entertainment; and Roman Ramos, alleging that they violated the Trademark Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff is the registered owner of the federal service mark Sound Choice, a brand of karaoke accompaniment track. The plaintiff alleges that the defendants' unlawful conduct caused it to be damaged through loss of revenue and the ability to control the quality of services in connection with the marks. The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly used plaintiff's federally registered service marks without authorization or permit and failed to avail of the plaintiff's Safe Harbor program.
The plaintiff seeks damages in an amount not less than $50,000 per defendant; award for treble, punitive or enhanced damages; costs of suit; and such other and further relief as justice may require. It is represented by Keith A. Vogt of Vogt IP in Oak Park, Illinois.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri Case number 4:17-cv-01213