FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
J. B. Stanton Communications
860/542-1234 Voice • 860/542-0005 Fax
Stan Pinkwas / [718] 788-7777 Voice
stanp@jbstanton.com
Bryan Stanton / jbs@jbstanton.com
Booth 20914, South Hall, at CES
Proton Files Trademark Infringement Action Against “Protron” for Illegal Use of Brand Name
Company Charges Confusingly Similar Name Harms Legitimate Proton Brand, Misleads Consumers and Unfairly Affects Sales of Proton Displays
TORRANCE, CALIF., Jan. 5, 2006 — Proton Corporation, affiliated with Proton Electronic Industrial Co., a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-quality, superbly engineered digital TVs, LCD TVs and HDTV products, announced it has filed a complaint alleging willful Trademark Infringement against the Prosonic Group Corp. for use of the confusingly similar name “Protron.”
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Proton’s complaint charges the Prosonic Group with improperly using the brand name “Protron” to sell directly competing products, including flat-panel LCD screens, and improperly trying to register “Protron” as a brand. The confusingly similar name has already appeared in advertisements by Prosonic for LCD displays priced significantly below those legitimately manufactured and marketed by Proton. Protron has also misused Proton’s name in advertisements by Longs Drugs, Sears and Staples.
Proton has no subsidiary named “Protron” and no relationship with “Protron.” However, advertisements for “Protron” products have already led to confusion in the marketplace, causing purchasers of Proton flat-panel screens to ask dealers why their units were so much more expensive than “the same product” they have seen advertised for substantially less. The confusion has harmed Proton sales, according to the complaint, by inducing consumers to purchase “the less expensive LCD flat panel screens sold under the confusingly similar trademark ‘Protron’,” and by injuring Proton’s business reputation and good will.
In seeking relief, Proton has asked for an injunction against all further use of “Protron” by Prosonic, including the sale or transport of any remaining “Protron” inventory. Proton is also seeking unspecified damages, including all Court costs and a punitive assessment for “willful trademark infringement” of the Proton brand, which is legitimately registered to the Proton Electronic Industrial Co.
About Proton
Founded in 1974, Proton Electronic Industrial Co. is a leading manufacturer of high-quality digital TV, LCD TV and HDTV products. Each Proton television combines forward-thinking industrial design with the most advanced electronic engineering available. The result is a line of televisions that regularly win the admiration — and — awards — of the industry’s leading video and Home Theater institutions. For further information, visit Proton’s Web site at www.protonav.com.
# # #
