Plaintiff 3M Company’S Complaint And Demand For Jury Trial, Doc. 1 — M.D. Fla., CourtListener docket 376843
- Date
- 2020-04-30
Summary
A complaint and demand for jury trial filed April 30, 2020 by 3M Company against TAC2 Global LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, Case 8:20-cv-01003-MSS-CPT, Document 1. The complaint alleges that TAC2 used 3M's trademarks and falsely claimed a relationship with 3M when offering the Florida Department of Management Services Emergency Operations Center five to ten million 3M-brand N95 masks at over 430% above 3M's list price. It asserts federal claims under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq., including trademark dilution under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c), and state claims under Florida law, citing Section 501.160(2), Florida Statutes. 3M asks for preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, damages, and fees, and states any recovery will be donated to COVID-19 relief efforts. The 29-page complaint references Exhibits A through D.
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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
TAMPA DIVISION
3M COMPANY, Case No.: _____________________
Plaintiff,
v.
TAC2 GLOBAL LLC,
Defendant.
________________________/
PLAINTIFF 3M COMPANY’S COMPLAINT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Plaintiff 3M Company (“Plaintiff” or “3M”), by and through its undersigned
counsel, hereby files its Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial against TAC2 Global LLC
(“Defendant” or “TAC2”), and in support hereof, alleges as follows:
NATURE OF THE ACTION
This action concerns Defendant’s fraudulent, deceptive, and otherwise
wrongful use of Plaintiff’s famous “3M” trademarks to perpetrate a price gouging scheme
on unwitting consumers, including government agencies, during the global COVID-19
pandemic.
Defendant further engaged in wrongful conduct by falsely representing that
it has a relationship with “the 3M manufacturer” (even claiming to have “very recently
contracted to become a distributor” of 3M respirators) and that “[e]very mask [TAC2]
procure[s] will also be inspected and certified by 3M agents…” Defendant further claimed
to have a “contract agreement with the 3M manufacturer.” Defendant is not an authorized
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distributor of any of 3M’s products and “3M agents” do not work with or for Defendant,
and Defendant has no contract with 3M.
Throughout its history, 3M has been providing state-of-the art, industry-
leading scientific and medical products to consumers worldwide under its famous 3M
marks. Based on longstanding, continuous use, consumers associate the 3M marks
uniquely with 3M. Now, more than ever, consumers are also relying on the famous 3M
marks to indicate that the products offered thereunder are of the same superior quality that
consumers have come to expect over the past century. This is especially true with respect
to 3M’s numerous industry-leading healthcare products and personal protective equipment
(“PPE”), including Plaintiff’s 3M-brand N95 respirators.
Healthcare professionals and other first responders are heroically placing
their health and safety on the line to battle COVID-19. To assist in the battle, 3M is
working around the clock to supply healthcare workers, first responders, and critical
infrastructure operators with millions of 3M-brand respirators. Beginning in January, 3M
began increasing its production of 3M-brand respirators, doubling its global output to a rate
of 1.1 billion per year, or 100 million per month. This includes 35 million per month being
manufactured and distributed in the United States. 3M also is investing in the capital and
resources to enable it to double its respirator production capacity once again, to 2 billion
globally by the end of 2020. In the United States alone, 3M plans to be producing
respirators at a rate of 50 million per month by June 2020. And to supplement its U.S.
production, 3M also has announced a plan to import 166.5 million 3M-brand respirators
from 3M’s production facilities overseas. In the U.S., more than 90 percent of 3M’s
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respirators are going to healthcare and public health users, with the remaining deployed to
other critical industries such as energy, food and pharmaceuticals. The U.S. distribution of
3M-brand respirators is being coordinated with the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, which is basing allocation decisions on the most urgent needs.
The demand for 3M-branded respirators has grown exponentially in
response to the pandemic, and 3M has been committed to seeking to meet this demand
while keeping its respirators priced fairly. 3M has not increased the prices that it
charges for 3M respirators as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Unfortunately, any number of wrongdoers seek to exploit the current public
health emergency and prey on innocent parties through a variety of scams involving 3M
N95 respirators and other products in high demand. These scams include unlawful price
gouging, fake offers, counterfeiting, and other unfair and deceptive practices – all of which
undercut the integrity of the marketplace and constitute an ongoing threat to public health
and safety.
In response to fraudulent activity, price gouging and counterfeiting related
to N95 respirator masks that has spiked in the marketplace in response to the pandemic,
3M is taking an active role in combating these activities. 3M’s actions include working
with law enforcement authorities around the world, including the U.S. Attorney General,
state Attorneys General and local authorities, and creating a “3M COVID-19 Fraud
hotline” for the United States and Canada that end users and purchasers of 3M products
can call for information to help detect fraud and avoid counterfeit products. 3M is also
publishing information on its website to help inform the purchasing public about 3M’s
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prices and products so that they can avoid fraud. Further information about 3M’s efforts
is set forth in the 3M press release and publication attached as hereto as Exhibits A and
B. This Complaint is another part of these efforts.
Despite 3M’s extensive efforts during COVID-19, unsavory characters
continue their quests to take advantage of healthcare workers, first responders, and others
in a time of need and trade off the fame of the 3M brand and marks. Defendant is a prime
example of this unlawful behavior.
On or about April 14, 2020, Defendant contacted the Florida Department of
Management Services (“DMS”) Emergency Operations Center (“EOC”) with an offer to
sell various PPE, including 3M-brand masks. Defendant is not an authorized distributor of
any of 3M’s products and has no right to use 3M’s trademarks. Nonetheless, to confuse
and deceive the EOC, Defendant claimed to be a distributor of certified 3M-brand, N95
Model 1860 respirators. To further the deception, Defendant claimed to have “3M NIOSH
N95 masks,” a contractual relationship with 3M, and a system in which every mask would
be inspected by 3M agents.
These claims were incorporated into an email and itemized quote provided
to the EOC. Specifically, Defendant purported to offer to sell five to ten million 3M-brand
N95 masks at over 430% above 3M’s list price. This offer constituted price gouging by
any measure, including under Section 501.160(2), Florida Statutes. 1
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Section 501.160(2), Florida Statutes states, in part:
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Not only does such price gouging further strain the limited resources
available to combat COVID-19, but such conduct justifiably has caused public outrage
which threatens imminent and irreparable harm to 3M’s brand as Defendant and similar
pandemic profiteers promote an improper association between 3M’s marks and
exploitative pricing behavior.
3M does not – and will not – tolerate individuals or entities deceptively
trading off the fame and goodwill of the 3M brand and marks for personal gain. This is
particularly true against those who seek to exploit the surge in demand for 3M-brand
products during the COVID-19 global pandemic, which already has claimed tens of
thousands of lives worldwide and over 1,000 lives in Florida.
Accordingly, to further protect governmental actors and consumers from
confusion and mistake, to reduce the amount of time and energy that government officials
are forced to waste interacting with such schemes, as well as to forestall any further
diminution to the 3M brand and marks’ reputation, fame, and goodwill, Plaintiff brings this
lawsuit against Defendant for federal and state trademark infringement, unfair competition,
false association, false endorsement, false designation of origin, trademark dilution, false
advertising, and unfair and deceptive trade practices. Plaintiff also seeks preliminary and
Upon a declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor, it is unlawful and a violation
of § 501.204 for a person or her or his agent or employee to rent or sell or offer to rent or
sell at an unconscionable price within the area for which the state of emergency is declared,
any essential commodity including, but not limited to, supplies, services, provisions, or
equipment that is necessary for consumption or use as a direct result of the emergency.
Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on March 9, 2020. See Executive Order 20-52.
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permanent injunctive relief. As described below, any damages, costs, or fees recovered by
Plaintiff will be donated to charitable COVID-19 relief efforts.
PARTIES
Plaintiff 3M Company is a Delaware Corporation, with its principal place
of business and corporate headquarters located at 3M Center, St. Paul, Minnesota 55144.
On information and belief, Defendant TAC2 Global LLC is a Florida
limited liability company with its principal place of business at 7901 4th Street N, Suite
300, St. Petersburg, Florida 33702.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
The claims for federal trademark infringement, unfair competition, false
association, false endorsement, false designation of origin, trademark dilution, and false
advertising, respectively, asserted in Counts V–VIII, infra, arise under the Trademark Act
of 1946 (as amended; the “Lanham Act”), namely 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq. Accordingly,
this Court has original and subject-matter jurisdiction over Counts V–VIII, pursuant to 28
U.S.C. §§1331, 1338(a), and 15 U.S.C. §1121(a).
The claims for state trademark infringement, false advertising, dilution,
unfair competition, and unfair and deceptive trade practices, respectively, asserted in
Counts I–IV, infra, arise under Florida statutory and common law, and are so related to the
federal claims asserted in Counts V–VIII, infra, that they form part of the same case or
controversy. Accordingly, this Court has supplemental jurisdiction over Counts I–IV
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1338(b) and 1367(a).
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This Court also has diversity jurisdiction over Plaintiff’s state-law claims
pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332 because there is complete diversity of citizenship between
the parties and the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000.
A substantial part of the events giving rise to the claims asserted, infra,
occurred in this District. Therefore, venue is proper in this district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §
1391(b)(2).
Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction in this District. Therefore,
venue is also proper in this District pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391(b)(3).
FACTS COMMON TO ALL CLAIMS FOR RELIEF
I. Plaintiff
A. 3M
3M has grown from humble beginnings in 1902 as a small-scale mining
venture in Northern Minnesota to what it is today, namely: an industry-leading provider of
scientific, technical, and marketing innovations throughout the world. Today, 3M’s
portfolio includes more than 60,000 goods and services, ranging from household and
school supplies, to industrial and manufacturing materials, to medical supplies and
equipment.
B. The 3M Brand
3M offers its vast array of goods and services throughout the world under
numerous brands, including, for example: ACE; POST-IT; SCOTCH; NEXCARE; and
more. 3M also uses its famous “3M Science. Applied to Life” slogan in connection with
the promotion of its goods and services. Notwithstanding the widespread goodwill and
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resounding commercial success enjoyed by these brands, 3M’s most famous and widely
recognized brand is its eponymous “3M” brand.
The 3M brand is associated with products and materials for a wide variety
of medical devices, supplies, and PPE, including, for example: respirators; stethoscopes;
medical tapes; surgical gowns, blankets, and tape; bandages and other wound-care
products; and more. As such, 3M-branded products are highly visible throughout hospitals,
nursing homes, and other care facilities where patients, care providers, and procurement
officers value and rely upon the high quality and integrity associated with the 3M brand.
C. The Famous “3M” Marks
Over the past century, Plaintiff has invested hundreds of millions of dollars
in advertising and promoting its 3M-brand products to consumers throughout the world
(including, without limitation, its 3M-brand N95 respirator) under the standard-character
mark “3M” and the inset 3M design mark (together, the “3M Marks”):
Over the past century, products offered under Plaintiff’s 3M Marks have
enjoyed enormous commercial success (including, without limitation, its 3M-brand N95
respirator). Indeed, in 2019, alone, sales of products offered under Plaintiff’s 3M Marks
exceeded several hundred million USD.
Over the past century, products offered under Plaintiff’s 3M Marks have
regularly been the subject of widespread, unsolicited media coverage and critical acclaim.
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Based on the foregoing, the general consuming public associates the 3M
Marks uniquely with Plaintiff and recognizes them as identifying Plaintiff as the exclusive
source of goods and services offered under the 3M Marks. Based on the foregoing, the 3M
Marks have also become famous among the general consuming public in the United States.
To strengthen Plaintiff’s common-law rights in and to its famous 3M Marks,
Plaintiff has obtained numerous federal trademark registrations, including, without
limitation: (i) U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 3,398,329, which covers the standard-character
3M mark in Int. Classes 9 and 10 for, inter alia, respirators (the “‘329 Registration”); and
(ii) U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 2,793,534, which covers the 3M design mark in Int. Classes
1, 5, and 10 for, inter alia, respirators (the “‘534 Registration”). See Exhibits C–D.
The ‘329 and ‘534 Registrations are valid, in effect, and on the Principal
Trademark Register.
The ‘329 and ‘534 Registrations are “incontestable” within the meaning of
15 U.S.C. § 1065. Accordingly, the ‘329 and ‘534 Registrations constitute conclusive
evidence of: (i) Plaintiff’s ownership of the 3M Marks; (ii) the validity of the 3M Marks;
(iii) the validity of the registration of the 3M Marks; and (iv) Plaintiff’s exclusive right to
use the 3M Marks throughout the United States for, inter alia, respirators.
Plaintiff’s famous 3M Marks do more than identify Plaintiff as the exclusive
source of goods and services offered thereunder. Indeed, the famous 3M Marks also
signify to consumers that 3M-brand products offered under the 3M Marks are of the highest
quality and adhere to the strictest quality-control standards. Now, more than ever,
consumers rely on the famous 3M Marks’ ability to signify that products offered under the
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3M Marks are of the same high quality that consumers have come to expect of the 3M
brand over the past century.
D. Plaintiff’s Extensive Efforts to Assist With the Battle Against COVID-19
Medical professionals and first responders throughout the world are
donning extensive PPE as they place their health and safety on the line in the battle against
COVID-19. As Plaintiff states on the homepage of its website, it is “committed to getting
personal protective equipment to healthcare workers”:
Among the PPE that 3M is providing to the heroic individuals on the front
lines of the battle against COVID-19 are Plaintiff’s 3M-brand N95 respirators.
Inset below is an image of Plaintiff’s 3M-brand, Model 1860 respirator:
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Authentic N95 respirators reduce exposure to airborne biological particles
and liquid contamination when used appropriately.
Based on the exponential increase in demand for 3M-brand N95 respirators,
Plaintiff has invested the necessary capital and resources to double its global annual
production of 1.1 billion 3M-brand N95 respirators. See Exs. A & B. But 3M has not
increased its prices. See id.
Unfortunately, certain third parties do not share 3M’s sense of civic
responsibility during this time of crisis. Indeed, opportunistic third parties are seeking to
exploit the increased demand for Plaintiff’s 3M-brand N95 respirators by offering to sell
them for exorbitant prices, selling counterfeit versions of them, and accepting money for
3M-brand N95 respirators despite not having the product to sell and/or never intending to
deliver the product to the unwitting buyer—in many instances, a public authority, such as
the CDC, which struggles to address the enormous financial and logistical challenges
presented by COVID-19.
Accordingly, to protect consumers on the front lines of the COVID-19 battle
from deception and inferior products, to reduce time wasted by governmental officials on
scams, as well as to protect the widespread reputation and goodwill enjoyed by Plaintiff’s
carefully curated 3M brand, Plaintiff is working diligently with law enforcement, retail
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partners, and others to combat unethical and unlawful business practices related to 3M-
brand N95 respirators. For example, in late-March 2019, 3M’s Chief Executive Officer,
Mike Roman, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General, William Barr, and the President of the
National Governors Association, Larry Hogan of Maryland, to offer 3M’s partnership in
combatting price gouging. As shown in the inset image, additional examples of 3M’s
efforts to combat price gouging, counterfeiting, and other unlawful conduct during
COVID-19 include:
a. 3M posted on its website the list price for its 3M-brand N95 respirators so
that consumers can readily identify price gouging (See Exhibit E);
b. 3M created a form on its website that consumers can use to report suspected
incidents of price gouging and counterfeiting (See Exhibit F); and
c. 3M created a fraud “hotline” that consumers can call to report suspect
incidents of price gouging and counterfeiting:
II. Defendant’s Unlawful Conduct
Despite Plaintiff’s extensive measures to combat price gouging and
counterfeiting of its 3M-brand N95 respirators, these illicit activities continue. Defendant
is a prime example of this unlawful behavior, which is damaging to the 3M brand and
public health.
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On or about March 31, 2020, Defendant sent an email titled Tac2 Global –
N95 Masks and Sanitizer (the “Email”) to the Logistics Section Support Director (“LSSD”)
of the DMS’s EOC. See Exhibit G.
In the Email, Defendant falsely claimed to be a distributor of certified 3M-
brand, N95 Model 1860 respirators and offered to sell them. See id. In the Email, Defendant
included a quote (the “Quote”) addressed to the Florida Department of Management
Services Division of State Purchases which offered to sell five to ten million 3M-brand,
N95 Model 1860 respirators for $5.50 each and various sizes of bottled hand sanitizer at
highly inflated prices. See Id.
The Quote contains a reference to the 3M-brand, N95 Model 1860
respirators that Defendant purportedly had for sale in the form “3MTM”. See id.
The Quote contains a series of false and misleading claims involving 3M
including but not limited to the following:
a. That the Defendant had “further contracted to become a distributor of 3M
N95 Masks.”;
b. That Defendant’s “pricing will remain fixed and transparent to 3M and their
agents.”;
c. That Defendant had a “contract agreement with the 3M Manufacturer”; and
d. “Every mask we [Defendant] procure will also be inspected and certified by
3M agents prior to leaving the manufacturing facility, and we are obligated
to offer these masks CIF.”
The Email also contains a purported certificate from the INSPEC
organization that attests to the quality of the masks Defendant is selling (the “Certificate”).
See Id.
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The Certificate does not show in any way that the masks Defendant offers
are affiliated with 3M or safe to use.
The Email also includes attachments containing specifications of the hand
sanitizer and screenshots of Florida business registrations (the “Attachments”).
Upon information and belief, Defendant’s use of the 3M mark and
invocation of 3M’s name in the Quote and the inclusion of the Certificate and Attachments
were intended to mislead the EOC into believing that Defendant was an authorized
distributor of Plaintiff’s products and/or otherwise had an association or affiliation with
Plaintiff and its products. Under the guise of appearing affiliated with 3M, Defendant
attempted to deceive consumers into purchasing masks at highly inflated prices. Defendant
is not, and never has been, an authorized distributor or vendor of 3M’s products. Defendant
also does not have, and has never had, an association or affiliation with Plaintiff.
Another equally detestable element of Defendant’s unlawful conduct is
price gouging. Defendant’s quote of $5.50 per 3M-brand, N95 Model 1860 respirator is
more than 430% over 3M’s suggested list price of $1.27 per respirator. See Ex. C.
The mere association of 3M’s valuable brand with such shameless price
gouging harms the brand, not to mention its more serious threat to public health agencies
that are under strain in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.
Based on the foregoing, Plaintiff seeks relief against Defendant for federal
and state trademark infringement, unfair competition, false association, false endorsement,
false designation of origin, trademark dilution, false advertising, and deceptive acts and
business practices.
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CLAIMS FOR RELIEF
COUNT I
Violation of Florida’s Unfair and Deceptive
Trade Practices Act, § 501.201 et seq. (“FDUTPA”)
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the allegations in paragraphs 1 through
50 above as though fully set forth herein.
Plaintiff brings this Count I under Section 501.201 et seq., Florida Statutes.
Defendant’s wrongful conduct, including unauthorized use of the 3M Marks
in the Email and Quote, with the intent of confusing and misleading consumers, including
the DEM and EOC, into believing that Defendant is an authorized distributor of 3M
products, and that Defendant had genuine 3M-brand products for sale, constitutes deceptive
trade practices under FDUTPA.
Defendant’s wrongful conduct is made even more reprehensible because of
Defendant’s attempt to exploit a global pandemic for profit, while posing a serious and
direct threat to the health and safety of the general public due to the potential misallocation
of valuable resources that are necessary to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect health
care professionals who are risking their own health and safety fighting the pandemic.
Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a
direct and proximate result of Defendant’s bad acts and the conduct complained of herein.
Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court enter judgment in its favor
preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant’s unlawful conduct, award damages
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and/or penalties, including attorneys’ fees and costs, as permitted under the governing law,
and award any other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT II
Trademark Infringement Under § 495.131, Florida Statutes
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the allegations in paragraphs 1 through
50 above as though fully set forth herein.
Plaintiff brings this Count II under Section 495.131, Florida Statutes.
Plaintiff is the exclusive owner of the 3M Marks.
Plaintiff has the exclusive right to use the 3M Marks in commerce for,
among other things, advertising, promoting, offering for sale, and selling Plaintiff’s 3M-
brand products, including N95 respirators.
Defendant is unlawfully using the 3M Marks in commerce to advertise,
promote, offer for sale, and sell 3M-brand N95 respirators, or counterfeits thereof,
including, for example, in the Email and Quote.
Plaintiff has not authorized Defendant to use its famous 3M Marks.
Based on Plaintiff’s longstanding and continuous use of its 3M Marks in
United States commerce, as well as the federal registration of Plaintiff’s 3M Marks,
Defendant had actual and constructive knowledge of Plaintiff’s superior rights in and to
the 3M Marks when Defendant began using the 3M Marks as part of its bad-faith scheme
to confuse and deceive consumers, as alleged, herein.
Upon information and belief, Defendant adopted and uses the 3M Marks in
furtherance of Defendant’s willful, deliberate, and bad-faith scheme of exploiting the
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extensive consumer goodwill, reputation, fame, and commercial success of products that
Plaintiff offers under its 3M Marks, including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95
respirators.
Upon information and belief, Defendant has made, and will continue to
make, substantial profits and gain from its unauthorized use of Plaintiff’s 3M Marks, to
which Defendant is not entitled at law or in equity.
Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm from
Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of herein, unless restrained by law. The damage
suffered by Plaintiff is exacerbated by the fact that Defendant is advertising and offering
for sale 3M-branded N95 respirator masks at exorbitantly inflated prices during a global
pandemic when Plaintiff’s products are necessary to protect public health. Such conduct
has inspired intense public criticism of the manner in which Plaintiff’s respirator masks are
being distributed and sold during the COVID-19 pandemic and significant confusion about
Plaintiff’s role in the marketplace for masks that are essential to safeguarding public health.
Whereas Plaintiff’s corporate values and brand image center around the application of
science to improve lives, Defendant’s conduct imminently and irreparably harms
Plaintiff’s 3M brand.
Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court enter judgment in its favor
preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant’s unlawful conduct, award damages
and/or penalties, including attorneys’ fees and costs, as permitted under the governing law,
and award any other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
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COUNT III
Dilution Under § 495.151, Florida Statutes
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the allegations in paragraphs 1 through
50 above as though fully set forth herein.
Plaintiff brings this Count III under Section 495.151, Florida Statutes.
Plaintiff’s 3M Marks are indisputably famous.
Plaintiff’s 3M Marks were famous at the time Defendant began using the
3M Marks in commerce on, for, and/or in connection with advertising, promoting, and/or
offering for sale products, including 3M-brand N95 respirators.
Defendant’s use of the famous 3M Marks in commerce on, for, and/or in
connection with advertising, promoting, and/or offering for sale products, including 3M-
brand N95 respirators, has, and is likely to continue to, dilute the distinctive quality of the
famous 3M Marks, such that the famous 3M Marks’ established selling power and value
will be severely diminished.
Defendant’s use of the famous 3M Marks in commerce on, for, and/or in
connection with advertising, promoting, and/or offering for sale products, including 3M-
brand N95 respirators, in connection with Defendant’s unlawful price gouging scheme
during a global pandemic such as COVID-19, specifically, is likely to dilute the reputation
of the famous 3M Marks, such that the famous 3M Marks’ established ability to indicate
the superior quality of Products offered under such Marks, including, without limitation,
Plaintiff’s 3M-brand N95 respirators, will be severely diminished.
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Defendant’s unauthorized and unlawful use of the 3M Marks violates
Section 495.151, Florida Statutes.
Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court enter judgment in its favor
preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant’s unlawful conduct, award damages
and/or penalties, including attorneys’ fees and costs, as permitted under the governing law,
and award any other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT IV
Unfair Competition Under Florida Common Law
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the allegations in paragraphs 1 through
50 above as though fully set forth herein.
Plaintiff brings this Count IV under Florida Common Law.
Plaintiff has the exclusive right to use the 3M Marks in commerce for,
among other things, advertising, promoting, offering for sale, and selling Plaintiff’s 3M-
brand products, including N95 respirators.
Defendant’s use of the 3M Marks in commerce for, among other things,
advertising, promoting, offering for sale, and selling Plaintiff’s 3M-brand products,
including N95 respirators is likely to confuse consumers, including government agencies,
and mislead them into believing that Defendant is associated with Plaintiff, is an authorized
distributor for Plaintiff, and/or has available for sale genuine 3M-brand products.
Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm as a
direct and proximate result of Defendant’s wrongful conduct.
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Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at all.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court enter judgment in its favor
preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant’s unlawful conduct, award damages
and/or penalties, including attorneys’ fees and costs, as permitted under the governing law,
and award any other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT V
False Advertising Under Section 43(a)(1)(B) of the Lanham Act,
15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(B))
(Defendant’s “Email and Quote”)
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the allegations in paragraphs 1 through
50 above as though fully set forth herein.
Count V is a claim for false and deceptive advertising under 15 U.S.C§
1125(a)(1)(B).
The statements that Defendant made in its Email and Quote constitute
commercial advertising and/or commercial promotion.
The statements that Defendant made in its Email and Quote contained false,
misleading, and/or deceptive statements about the nature, characteristics, qualities, and/or
geographic origin of Defendant and/or the products that Defendant allegedly had available
for sale.
The statements that Defendant made in its Email and Quote contained false,
misleading, and/or deceptive statements about the nature, characteristics, qualities, and/or
geographic origin of Plaintiff and Plaintiff’s 3M-brand products, including, without
limitation, Plaintiff’s 3M-brand N95 respirators.
20
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Defendant placed its Email and Quote into interstate commerce by, inter
alia, sending it to the Florida Department of Emergency Management email account.
Defendant’s Email and Quote directly and/or proximately caused and/or is
likely to cause Plaintiff to suffer harm in the form of lost sales (including, without
limitation, lost sales of Plaintiff’s 3M-brand N95 respirators), as well as irreparable
diminution to the 3M brand and 3M Marks’ reputation, fame, and goodwill.
Upon information and belief, Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of
herein constitute false advertising in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(B).
Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm from
Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of herein, unless restrained by law. The damage
suffered by Plaintiff is exacerbated by the fact that Defendant is advertising and offering
for sale 3M-branded N95 respirator masks at exorbitantly inflated prices during a global
pandemic when Plaintiff’s products are necessary to protect public health. Such conduct
has inspired intense public criticism of the manner in which Plaintiff’s respirator masks are
being distributed and sold during the COVID-19 pandemic and significant confusion about
Plaintiff’s role in the marketplace for masks that are essential to safeguarding public health.
Whereas Plaintiff’s corporate values and brand image center around the application of
science to improve lives, Defendant’s conduct imminently and irreparably harms
Plaintiff’s 3M brand.
Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court enter judgment in its favor
preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant’s unlawful conduct, award damages
21
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and/or penalties, including attorneys’ fees and costs, as permitted under the governing law,
and award any other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT VI
Trademark Infringement Under Section 32(1) of the
Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1114(1))
(Infringement of the Federally Registered 3M Marks)
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the allegations in paragraphs 1 through
50 above as though fully set forth herein.
Plaintiff brings this Count VI under 15 U.S.C. § 1114.
Plaintiff is the exclusive owner of each of the federally registered 3M
Marks.
Plaintiff has the exclusive right to use each of the 3M Marks in United States
commerce for, inter alia, advertising, promoting, offering for sale, and selling Plaintiff’s
3M-brand N95 respirators.
Plaintiff’s exclusive rights in and to each of the 3M Marks predate any rights
that Defendant could establish in and to any mark that consists of “3M” in whole and/or in
part.
Both of the 3M Marks (i.e., the 3M standard character word mark and the
3M design mark) are fanciful - when used for respirators and, therefore, are inherently
distinctive.
Both of the 3M Marks identify Plaintiff as the exclusive source of products
offered under the 3M Marks (including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95 respirators) and,
therefore, the 3M Marks have acquired distinctiveness.
22
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Defendant is using the 3M Marks in commerce to advertise, promote, offer
for sale, and sell 3M-brand N95 respirators, including, for example, in the Quote.
Defendant’s use of the 3M Marks in commerce on, for, and/or in connection
with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and/or sale of products, as alleged,
herein, is causing, likely to cause and is likely to continue causing, consumer confusion,
mistake, and/or deception about whether Defendant is 3M, and/or whether Defendant is a
licensee, authorized distributor, and/or affiliate of 3M and/or products that Plaintiff offers
under its 3M Marks, including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95 respirators.
Defendant’s use of the 3M Marks in commerce on, for, and/or in connection
with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and/or sale of products, as alleged,
herein, is causing, is likely to cause and is likely to continue causing, consumer confusion,
mistake, and/or deception about whether Defendant and/or Defendant’s products are
affiliated, connected, and/or associated with 3M and/or products that Plaintiff offers under
its 3M Marks, including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95 respirators.
Defendant’s use of the 3M Marks in commerce on, for, and/or in connection
with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and/or sale of products, as alleged, herein
is causing, is likely to cause and is likely to continue causing, consumer confusion, mistake,
and/or deception about whether Defendant and/or Defendant’s products originate with,
and/or are sponsored or approved by, and/or offered under a license from, 3M or vice versa.
Plaintiff has not consented to the use of its famous 3M Marks by Defendant.
Based on Plaintiff’s longstanding and continuous use of its 3M Marks in
United States commerce, as well as the federal registration of Plaintiff’s 3M Marks,
23
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Defendant had actual and constructive knowledge of Plaintiff’s superior rights in and to
the 3M Marks when Defendant began using the 3M Marks as part of its bad-faith scheme
to confuse and deceive consumers, as alleged, herein.
Upon information and belief, Defendant adopted and uses the 3M Marks in
furtherance of Defendant’s willful, deliberate, and bad-faith scheme of exploiting the
extensive consumer goodwill, reputation, fame, and commercial success of products that
Plaintiff offers under its 3M Marks, including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95
respirators.
Upon information and belief, Defendant has made, and will continue to
make, substantial profits and gain from its unauthorized use of Plaintiff’s 3M Marks, to
which Defendant is not entitled at law or in equity.
Upon information and belief, Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of
herein constitute trademark infringement in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1114(a). Defendant’s
acts of trademark infringement are willful.
Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm from
Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of herein, unless restrained by law. The damage
suffered by Plaintiff is exacerbated by the fact that Defendant is advertising and offering
for sale 3M-branded N95 respirator masks at inflated prices during a global pandemic when
Plaintiff’s products are necessary to protect public health. Such conduct has inspired
intense public criticism of the manner in which Plaintiff’s respirator masks are being
distributed and sold during the COVID-19 pandemic and significant confusion about
Plaintiff’s role in the marketplace for masks that are essential to safeguarding public health.
24
Case 8:20-cv-01003-MSS-CPT Document 1 Filed 04/30/20 Page 25 of 29 PageID 25
Whereas Plaintiff’s corporate values and brand image center around the application of
science to improve lives, Defendant’s conduct imminently and irreparably harms
Plaintiff’s 3M brand.
Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court enter judgment in its favor
preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant’s unlawful conduct, award damages
and/or penalties, including attorneys’ fees and costs, as permitted under the governing law,
and award any other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT VII
Unfair Competition, False Endorsement, False Association,
and False Designation of Origin Under Section 43(a)(1)(A)
of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(A)) (Use of the 3M Marks)
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the allegations in paragraphs 1 through
50 above as though fully set forth herein.
Count VII is a claim for federal unfair competition, false endorsement, false
association, and false designation of origin under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(A).
Upon information and belief, Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of
herein constitute unfair competition, false endorsement, false association, and/or false
designation of origin in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)(1)(A).
Upon information and belief, Defendant’s use of Plaintiff’s famous 3M
Marks to advertise, market, offer for sale, and/or sell purported 3M-brand N95 respirators
to consumers at exorbitant prices, in general, and during a global pandemic such as
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Case 8:20-cv-01003-MSS-CPT Document 1 Filed 04/30/20 Page 26 of 29 PageID 26
COVID-19, specifically, also constitutes unfair competition in violation of 15 U.S.C. §
1125(a)(1)(A).
Defendant has also falsely held itself and its affiliates out to be an agent of
and/or authorized by Plaintiff to sell and/or distribute 3M-branded products, when this is
not the case.
Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm from
Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of herein, unless restrained by law.
Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court enter judgment in its favor
preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant’s unlawful conduct, award damages
and/or penalties, including attorneys’ fees and costs, as permitted under the governing law,
and award any other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
COUNT VIII
Trademark Dilution Under Section 43(c) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c))
(Dilution of the Famous 3M Marks)
Plaintiff realleges and incorporates the allegations in paragraphs 1 through
50 above as though fully set forth herein.
Count VIII is a claim for federal trademark dilution under 15 U.S.C. §
1125(c).
Plaintiff’s 3M Marks were famous among the general consuming public
before and at the time Defendant began using the 3M Marks in commerce on, for, and/or
in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and/or sale of products
(including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95 respirators).
26
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Defendant’s use of Plaintiff’s famous 3M Marks in commerce on, for,
and/or in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and/or sale of
products (including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95 respirators) is likely to dilute the
distinctive quality of the famous 3M Marks, such that the famous 3M Marks’ established
selling power and value will be whittled away.
Defendant’s use of Plaintiff’s famous 3M Marks in commerce on, for,
and/or in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and/or sale of
products (including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95 respirators) is likely to dilute the
distinctive quality of the famous 3M Marks, such that famous the 3M Marks’ ability to
identify Plaintiff as the exclusive source of products offered under the 3M Marks
(including, without limitation, Plaintiff’s 3M-brand N95 respirators) will be whittled away.
Defendant’s use of Plaintiff’s famous 3M Marks in commerce on, for,
and/or in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and/or sale of
products (including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95 respirators) at exorbitant prices, in
general, and during a global pandemic such as COVID-19, specifically, is likely to dilute
the reputation of the famous 3M Marks, such that the famous 3M Marks’ established ability
to indicate the superior quality of Products offered under such Marks (including, without
limitation, Plaintiff’s 3M-brand N95 respirators), will be whittled away.
Defendant’s use of Plaintiff’s famous 3M Marks in commerce on, for,
and/or in connection with the advertising, promotion, offering for sale, and/or sale of
products (including, without limitation, 3M-brand N95 respirators) is likely to dilute the
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Case 8:20-cv-01003-MSS-CPT Document 1 Filed 04/30/20 Page 28 of 29 PageID 28
distinctive quality of the famous 3M Marks, such that Plaintiff’s exclusive association with
the famous 3M Marks will be blurred.
Upon information and belief, Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of
herein constitute trademark dilution in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 1125(c).
Plaintiff has suffered, and will continue to suffer, irreparable harm from
Defendant’s acts and conduct complained of herein, unless restrained by law. The damage
suffered by Plaintiff is exacerbated by the fact that Defendant is advertising and offering
for sale 3M-branded N95 respirator masks at exorbitantly inflated prices during a global
pandemic when Plaintiff’s products are necessary to protect public health. Such conduct
has inspired intense public criticism of the manner in which Plaintiff’s respirator masks are
being distributed and sold during the COVID-19 pandemic and significant confusion about
Plaintiff’s role in the marketplace for masks that are essential to safeguarding public health.
Whereas Plaintiff’s corporate values and brand image center around the application of
science to improve lives, Defendant’s conduct imminently and irreparably harms
Plaintiff’s 3M brand.
Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests this Court enter judgment in its favor
preliminarily and permanently enjoining Defendant’s unlawful conduct, award damages
and/or penalties, including attorneys’ fees and costs, as permitted under the governing law,
and award any other and further relief as this Court deems just and proper.
28
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DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Plaintiff hereby demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable pursuant to Fed. R.
Civ. P. 38(b).
Dated: April 30, 2020 MCDERMOTT WILL & EMERY LLP
By: /s/ Joseph M. Wasserkrug
Joseph M. Wasserkrug
Florida Bar No.: 112274
jwasserkrug@mwe.com
333 SE 2nd Avenue, Suite 4500
Miami, FL 33131-4336
T: 305.347.6501 | F: 305.675.8403
Michael W. Weaver
Illinois Bar No.: 6291021
(Application for admission pro hac vice
forthcoming)
mweaver@mwe.com
444 W. Lake Street, Suite 4000
Chicago, IL 60606-0029
T: 312.984.5820 | F: 312.277.2972
DM_US 168192645-3.099922.0012
29
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