Court Rules in Favor of Zuffa
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
issued an order granting motion for summary judgment in favor of
Zuffa LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship
and World Extreme Cagefighting, regarding claims of trademark
infringement and unfair competition against Todd Meacham Promotions
and Total Fighting Alliance, the UFC announced on its Web site
Friday.
According to the UFC release, the Court found the eight-sided competition mat and fighting enclosure are "distinctive trademarks and trade dress, have acquired secondary meaning and are inextricably linked with Zuffa and the UFC brand in the marketplace."
"Everyone in this business knows that we vigorously defend our intellectual property rights," UFC president Dana White stated on UFC.com. "This strong and decisive victory for Zuffa sends a message that anyone attempting to illegally pass themselves off as being associated with the UFC, or that improperly uses our intellectual property, will be sued."
Meacham, a promoter out of Los Angeles's South Bay, was unaware of the order Friday afternoon, telling Sherdog.com he was under the impression that the case, which was initiated by Zuffa, was headed to trial in September.
Meacham admitted his company employed an octagon-shaped cage and mat for its first two events, however the TFA promoter said he immediately changed the organization's fighting area when informed by Zuffa that it was in violation of copyright infringement.
Calls to Total Fighting Alliance counsel were not immediately returned.
According to the UFC release, the Court found the eight-sided competition mat and fighting enclosure are "distinctive trademarks and trade dress, have acquired secondary meaning and are inextricably linked with Zuffa and the UFC brand in the marketplace."
"Everyone in this business knows that we vigorously defend our intellectual property rights," UFC president Dana White stated on UFC.com. "This strong and decisive victory for Zuffa sends a message that anyone attempting to illegally pass themselves off as being associated with the UFC, or that improperly uses our intellectual property, will be sued."
Meacham, a promoter out of Los Angeles's South Bay, was unaware of the order Friday afternoon, telling Sherdog.com he was under the impression that the case, which was initiated by Zuffa, was headed to trial in September.
Meacham admitted his company employed an octagon-shaped cage and mat for its first two events, however the TFA promoter said he immediately changed the organization's fighting area when informed by Zuffa that it was in violation of copyright infringement.
Calls to Total Fighting Alliance counsel were not immediately returned.
