Chicago Settles Trademark Infringement Suit Against Fire Department Coffee

The City of Chicago has settled a trademark infringement suit it filed against Fire Department Coffee, Inc. over the use of a logo that it claimed was deceptively and confusingly similar to the Chicago Fire Department logo. The city filed suit in federal court in January, 2020 alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office had issued trademark registrations for both parties. Both involved a stylized overlaying of three letters, CFD (or FDC as the case may be).

Here are both trademarks:

By agreement of the parties, Fire Department Coffee will be transitioning to a new trademark.

Here is the original complaint:

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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