Maui Jim Files Federal Trademark And Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against SmartBuyGlasses.com

LAHAINA, Hawaii, Jan. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Maui Jim, Inc.^®, maker of premium sunglasses known for its optical clarity and patented lens technologies, has filed a lawsuit against the operators of the online retailer SmartBuyGlasses.com. The lawsuit, filed on October 17, 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago, alleges that SmartBuyGlasses is in violation of trademark, copyright, and unfair competition laws.

The defendants named in the lawsuit are Smartbuy Guru Enterprises (Cayman Islands), Motion Global Ltd. (Hong Kong), Smartbuyglasses Società a Responsabilità Limitata (Italy) and Smartbuyglasses Optical Limited (Hong Kong) (together referred to as "SmartBuyGlasses").

In its complaint, Maui Jim alleges SmartBuyGlasses is in violation of trademark, copyright, and unfair competition laws through its sale of counterfeit and non-genuine Maui Jim-branded sunglasses and unauthorized use of Maui Jim's trademarks and copyrighted photography. The complaint outlines the significant commercial and legal impact of these actions, including the inability of Maui Jim to control the quality of sunglasses being sold under the Maui Jim brand by SmartBuyGlasses.

Remedies requested by the lawsuit include an order which requires SmartBuyGlasses to stop selling sunglasses under the Maui Jim trademarks, plus discontinuation of the use of Maui Jim-copyrighted photography. The lawsuit also requests an award of financial relief to Maui Jim caused by SmartBuyGlasses' legal violations.

"Companies that utilize these types of disingenuous and misleading sales practices undermine the integrity of the Maui Jim brand and the quality and technology it has come to represent," said Jay Black, Maui Jim Vice President, Global Marketing.  "This lawsuit was filed to protect our brand and the inherent value of its earned reputation, as well as our customers and our authorized retailers. We simply cannot allow our brand to be harmed by the sale of counterfeit or non-genuine Maui Jim products that do not live up to our – and most importantly, our customers' – expectations."

SOURCE Maui Jim, Inc.

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