Intellectual Property Law

Charter Construction Settles Logo Dispute with Charter Mechanical Contractors

By Michael Atkins

Plaintiff Charter Construction’s logo (top), with
defendant Charter Mechanical’s old (middle) and new logos

Plaintiff Charter Construction, Inc., is a Seattle-based general contractor with an office in Portland, Ore. 

Defendant Charter Mechanical Contractors, Inc., is a Tualatin, Ore.-based mechanical contractor that, according to plaintiff, does business in both Washington and Oregon.

In April, plaintiff filed a trademark suit against defendant in the Western District, alleging confusing similarity between the parties’ logos.

Defendant never answered the complaint. However, the parties settled their differences and on Oct. 28 the court dismissed the case based on the parties’ stipulation.

STL is far from privy to the terms of the settlement, but judging by the defendant’s Web site, it appears that defendant has changed its logo.

The case cite is Charter Construction, Inc. v. Charter Mechanical Contractors, Inc., No. 08-5219 (W.D. Wash.).

Full post as published by Seattle Trademark Lawyer on November 06, 2008 (boomark / email).