Plaintiff is a Portland, Oregon-based designer/manufacturer/retailer of high quality wool fabrics and apparel, and is known for its unique proprietary fabric and blanket designs. Plaintiff regularly enters into sales contracts with wholesale customers, who must agree that “The Purchaser will not sell the goods or any part thereof, to another dealer or to any other reseller, and will not sell the goods through the Internet without the written consent of [Plaintiff].” The 20 John Doe defendants are wholesale customers that have signed the sales contract. None were authorized to sell to Defendant Kraff’s, the primary target of the lawsuit.

Defendant Kraff’s is a retailer operating a clothing store that markets and sells apparel, blankets, and related products in Toppenish, Washington. From approximately 1941 until 2006, Kraff’s was a wholesale customer of Plaintiff. Kraff’s has allegedly continued to purchase product from a Doe defendant after termination of their sales contract with Plaintiff, thus making them an unauthorized reseller of Plaintiff’s goods. Plaintiff brings this lawsuit with numerous copyright claims based on their distinctive designs and trademark claims based on the unauthorized use of their company name.

Stay tuned for updates.

Pendleton Woolen Mills Inc. v. Kraff’s Men’s Wear Co. Inc. et al

Court Case Number: 3:14-cv-00628-PK
File Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Plaintiff: Pendleton Woolen Mills Inc.
Plaintiff Counsel: Parna A. Mehrbani, Vicki L. Smith of Lane Powell PC
Defendant: Kraff’s Men’s Wear Co. Inc., Daniel P. Johnson, John Doe Companies 1-20
Cause: Copyright Infringement, Federal Trademark Infringement, Federal Unfair Competition, Common Law Trademark Infringement, Common Law Unfair Competition, Intentional Interference with Economic Relations, Breach of Contract
Court: District of Oregon
Judge: Magistrate Judge Paul Papak