NASCAR this week sued hundreds of anonymous defendants in China that are allegedly selling pirated and counterfeit products.
These individuals and businesses, NASCAR asserts, are engaged in “mass counterfeiting” and a “deliberate and coordinated scheme to trade upon the goodwill associated with the NASCAR marks.”
NASCAR’s complaint was filed in the Southern District of New York and contains claims for trademark infringement and counterfeiting, unfair competition and trademark dilution. The racing circuit seeks a court order that would block the defendants from using NASCAR trademarks and selling counterfeit goods. Applicable trademarks cover a wide range of NASCAR products, including clothing, caps, keychains, toys, miniature cars and board games.
The racing association also wants a court order that would, upon NASCAR’s request, direct online marketplaces, social media platforms and search engines to “disable” or “cease” providing services that make it possible for the defendants to sell and market pirated and counterfeit goods.
Authored by Keaton Smith of Whitewood Law, the complaint details NASCAR’s efforts to try to find actual names and physical addresses for the defendants.
