June 20, 2013

Suit pits Mardi Gras group against liquor seller

BY: AP Staff Writer JANUARY 18, 2013 | MODIFIED: JANUARY 18, 2013 AT 1:16 PM
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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A New Orleans Mardi Gras organization has filed suit against a California liquor distributor over alleged trademark infringement.

The Rex Organization, which stages one of the city's premier Mardi Gras parades, says businessman Sal Ortiz of Rex Spirits Inc. is unlawfully combining the Rex name with Mardi Gras images to market products under the name "King REX Spirits." The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court claims the images violate trademarks of the Rex Organization.

It asks the court to block the manufacture, sale and advertising of the products and seeks an undetermined amount of monetary damages.

An email request for comment was left with the company Friday.

The Rex parade is a signature event on Mardi Gras, which this year is Feb. 12. The organization was founded in 1872.

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