Peoples Federal Savings Bank (Brighton, MA) has sued People’s United Bank (Bridgeport, CT) for, you guessed it, trademark infringement and related claims. Peoples MA claims a use of a form of the “People” based name dating to 1937 (though it started using the name “Peoples” in 1982), locations in six communities throughout eastern MA, and Massachusetts trademark registrations in various PEOPLES marks for banking services.
The complaint alleges that defendant People’s CT started using a “People’s” based mark in 2009 in Connecticut but expanded to eastern MA in April 2010.
The complaint asserts state law claims for common law and statutory trademark infringement, statutory trademark dilution, and common and statutory law unfair competition. The complaint also includes a Lanham Act claim for unfair competition and false designation of origin.
Peoples Federal Savings Bank v. People’s United Bank, 10-11002-NMG (D. Mass. June 15, 2010)
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