LLT Wins Another Court Decision
Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH and its U.S. subsidiary Lavatec Laundry Technology Inc. (LLT), recently won another court decision in their trademark infringement lawsuit against the company formerly known as Lavatec Inc., according to a news release. United States District Judge Stefan R. Underhill has enjoined the company formerly known as Lavatec Inc. from its continuing infringement of LLT’s exclusive “LAVATEC” trademark. The decision supports a 22-page ruling the U.S. District Court issued in favor of Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH on Sept. 5.
“This is another important step in the process and we are pleased with the ruling,” said LLT President Mark Thrasher. “It defines for our industry and customers that we will protect the integrity of our trademark and that they can continue to have faith in the commercial laundry equipment purchased from the true LAVATEC company.”
In a ruling filed on Nov. 13 in Bridgeport, CT, the order prevents the company formerly known as Lavatec Inc., a U.S.-based laundry service parts provider located in Naugatuck, CT, from using the Lavatec name or logo as a trademark, company name or trade name in the manufacture or sales of any products, advertising, promotion or offer to sell. The ruling also prohibits the company formerly known as Lavatec Inc. from using the websites www.lavatec.com and www.lavatec.biz or any other variation.
“Our group is obviously disappointed in the decision of the judge. We have changed our name to Voss Laundry Solutions,” said Bruce Burmann, vice president of sales, Voss Laundry Solutions, Naugatuck, CT. “This is a change in name only, the corporate entity, management and employees all remain in place. We will continue to serve the industry professionally as we have for the past 27 years supplying machinery, parts and service to a variety of customers worldwide. We invite you to our future website, vosslaundrysolutions.com, now under construction for further details and our story. We thank our loyal customers in advance for their continued support.”
Outside the U.S., Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH is the undisputed owner of the Lavatec trademark. It has manufactured and installed tunnel washing systems worldwide for nearly three decades.
In 2013, Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH filed a lawsuit against the company formerly known as Lavatec Inc. for trademark infringement in the United States. After a bench trial earlier this year, a federal judge in U.S. District Court ruled Lavatec Laundry Technology GmbH owns the rights in and to the trademark “LAVATEC” for use with commercial laundry equipment sold in the United States.