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In a familiar sounding lawsuit, two companies have been at loggerheads over a name.
Piloto Cigars, Inc., the parent company of Padrón has filed a lawsuit over Ted’s Patrón Cigar, claiming that the names are too similar sounding. The company argues that individuals will be confused over the names and might purchase one believing it to be the other, causing general confusion in the marketplace.
The lawsuit argues specifically against the use of the term “PATRÓN CIGAR” on cigars, glassware and other accessories.
According to Halfwheel.com, Patrón’s attorneys wrote the following in 2009:
[W]hen used in connection with rum …, PADRÓN is too similar to our client’s PATRON mark. We believe that the similarity between PADRÓN and PATRON, particularly with respect to the sound and pronunciation of the names, as well as the goods marketed thereunder, will cause confusion.
Padrón claims it let the mark expire and obviously has not entered the rum business to date.
