Mont Blanc is Cross with Pen Maker Over Trademark Infringement
Montblanc North America, famous maker of high-end and executive pens and pencils has sued A.T. Cross Co. for trademark infringement and false advertising for marketing its refills with the MONT BLANC trademark conspicuously on the package.
Montblanc North America, famous maker of high-end and executive pens and pencils has sued A.T. Cross Co. for trademark infringement and false advertising for marketing its refills with the MONT BLANC trademark conspicuously on the package.
Getting straight to the point, Montblanc has asked a New York district court for a preliminary injunction to stop Cross from selling the pen refills in question. Seems these rival pen-makers have “crossed” paths before. In 2003, Montblanc sent a similar demand to Cross, who promised to address the issue. Evidently, that was the PENultimate altercation.
In its suit, Montblanc claims that Cross is taking advantage of the goodwill and equity built up in the mark MONTBLANC by featuring it so conspicuously on the Cross packaging. What’s worse, the Cross brand is missing from the package. Montblanc claims the refills’ markings do not reflect deminimus fair use of its trademark and vows to have its name removed. For Cross’ part, the bar-mitzvah gift king could not be reached for comment.