
Phoenix Entertainment Partners, LLC v. Rumsey
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
829 F.3d 817 (2016)
Relevant factsFree
Slep-Tone (predecessor plaintiff) made karaoke tapes displaying its trademark and trade dress, and pub owner Rumsey (defendant) made and played unauthorized copies of Slep-Tone's music and graphics files at his pub without selling them; Slep-Tone sued under the Lanham Act for reverse passing off, and the district court dismissed the complaint.
IssueFree
Whether a reverse-passing-off claim requires the plaintiff to allege that the passing off caused consumer confusion as to the source of goods actually sold in the marketplace.
Related cases
Smith v. Montoro648 F.2d 602 (1981)Borden Ice Cream Co. v. Borden’s Condensed Milk Co.201 F. 510 (7th Cir. 1912)A&H Sportswear Inc. v. Victoria’s Secret Stores Inc.237 F.3d 198 (2000)Bretford Manufacturing, Inc. v. Smith System Manufacturing Corp.419 F.3d 576 (7th Cir. 2005)Clorox Co. Puerto Rico v. Proctor & Gamble Commercial Co.228 F.3d 24 (2000)