Report: Marketing Agency Sues Over ‘Fan Expo’ Title

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Ultimate Fighting Championship parent company Zuffa, LLC, is reportedly being sued by a Canadian marketing agency over the use of the term “fan expo” in the promotion of UFC 129.

As reported Tuesday by ComicBookResources.com, Toronto-based Hobby Star Marketing, Inc. -- which operates the annual Fan Expo Canada comic book and gaming convention -- has filed an injunction against Zuffa and partners Reed Exhibitions. Hobby Star has reportedly filed trademark infringement charges against the parties over use of the “UFC Fan Expo” title, as well as the web domain UFCFanExpo.com and the slogan “The Ultimate Fan Experience.”

The injunction, reportedly filed in Toronto’s Federal Court, would prevent the promotion or sale of any items or events bearing the trademark. Hobby Star is also seeking that all goods violating the injunction be either handed over or destroyed under oath.

The UFC has held multiple events in the past bearing the “Fan Expo” title, both in the United States and abroad. The UFC 129 event will be held at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto and will begin on Friday, April 29. The expo will feature question-and-answer sessions with UFC personnel, autograph opportunities with fighters and a four-man exhibition grappling tournament.

Fan Expo Canada was founded in 1994 by Hobby Star Marketing and is a multi-genre fan convention similar to San Diego’s famous Comic-Con. The convention, which caters to fans of comics, sci-fi, anime, horror and video games, is the largest Canadian event of its kind.