Friday, December 18, 2009

Blains, Just Buy Them Out

Blains is having a conniption fit. Blains is like our Mills Fleet Farm in Southeastern Wisconsin
From JSOnline.
"Farm & Fleet operator disputes use of phrase
By Bruce Vielmetti of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Dec. 17, 2009

For years, Blain's Farm & Fleet probably worried most about confusion with Mills Fleet Farm, another Wisconsin retailer whose name reveals the similarity of the two concerns - farm supplies, work clothing, tools and the like.

But Blain's new trademark lawsuit takes aim at a Minnesota company that also uses Farm & Fleet." Farm & Fleet operator disputes use of phrase - JSOnline

According the lawsuit, Runnings switched its identifier from Fleet & Farm to Farm & Fleet in 2002, well after Runnings knew of Blain's use of the phrase. The use is "in bad faith and blatant disregard for the rights" of Blain's, is "likely to cause confusion, mistake, and to deceive," the complaint says.

The action, filed in federal court in Madison, claims Runnings has engaged in unfair competition, trademark infringement and dilution, and service mark infringement. Blain's is asking that the court order Runnings to stop using Farm & Fleet and to destroy all products, labels, signs, advertisements and other materials that use Farm & Fleet.

According the lawsuit, Runnings switched its identifier from Fleet & Farm to Farm & Fleet in 2002, well after Runnings knew of Blain's use of the phrase. The use is "in bad faith and blatant disregard for the rights" of Blain's, is "likely to cause confusion, mistake, and to deceive," the complaint says.

In October, Blain's began selling online through its Web site, www.farmandfleet.com, and so its exclusive use of Farm & Fleet now extends nationwide, the company claims.

Runnings' Web site does not appear to offer online sales.

Where has Blain's been since 2002? So they now have a conniption fit because they have a web site up and running? They want "Runnings to stop using Farm & Fleet and to destroy all products, labels, signs, advertisements and other materials that use Farm & Fleet."

Drop the law suit or buy out Running's. I never liked Blains when I lived in southeastern Wisconsin. Always went to Fleet Farm in Menomenee Falls.

I would say this is just a way to drive Runnings price down so Blains can buy them for a song and a dance.


No comments: