The 2023 Florida Statutes (including Special Session C)

Title XXXIII
REGULATION OF TRADE, COMMERCE, INVESTMENTS, AND SOLICITATIONS

Chapter 495
REGISTRATION AND PROTECTION OF TRADEMARKS

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F.S. 495.131

495.131 Infringement.—Subject to the provisions of s. 495.161, any person who shall, without the consent of the registrant:

(1) Use any reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation of a mark registered under this chapter in connection with the sale, offering for sale, distribution, or advertising of any goods or services on or in connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive; or

(2) Reproduce, counterfeit, copy, or colorably imitate a mark registered under this chapter and apply such reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable imitation to labels, signs, prints, packages, wrappers, receptacles, or advertisements intended to be used upon or in connection with the sale, distribution, or advertising of goods or services on or in connection with which such use is likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive;

shall be liable in a civil action by the owner of such registered mark for any or all of the remedies provided in s. 495.141, except that under subsection (2) hereof the registrant shall not be entitled to recover profits or damages unless the acts have been committed with knowledge that such mark is intended to be used to cause confusion or mistake or to deceive.

History.—s. 1, ch. 67-58; s. 14, ch. 2006-191.

F.S. 495.131 on Google Scholar

F.S. 495.131 on Casetext

Amendments to 495.131

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 495.131

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 495.131.

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases from cite.case.law:

CANES BAR GRILL OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. a v. SANDBAR BAY, LLC, a, 343 F. Supp. 3d 1236 (S.D. Fla. 2018)

. . . . § 1125(a) Count II: Florida Trademark Infringement under Florida Statute § 495.131 Count III: Common . . .

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, v. FLORIDA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, INC. d. b. a., 830 F.3d 1242 (11th Cir. 2016)

. . . . § 495.131; (5) Florida common law trademark infringement and unfair competition; and (6) cancellation . . .

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES, v. FLORIDA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY, INC. d b a, 91 F. Supp. 3d 1265 (S.D. Fla. 2015)

. . . . § 495.131 and a common law claim for infringement and unfair competition [D.E: 1 ¶¶ 53-65]. . . .

FRU VEG MARKETING, INC. a v. VEGFRUITWORLD CORP. f k a USA a, 896 F. Supp. 2d 1175 (S.D. Fla. 2012)

. . . . § 495.131 et seq.; (4) violating the Florida Trademarlc Dilution Act, Fla. . . .

RICKS, v. BMEZINE. COM, LLC, LLC, v., 727 F. Supp. 2d 936 (D. Nev. 2010)

. . . intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, trademark infringement under Florida Statutes § 495.131 . . .

KLAYMAN, v. FREEDOM S WATCH, INC. P. Ed, 765 F. Supp. 2d 1348 (S.D. Fla. 2008)

. . . . § 495.131); (4) Florida state trademark dilution (Fla.Stat. § 495.151); (5) Unfair Competition under . . .

ROLEX WATCH U. S. A. INC. v. BONNEY, d b a, 546 F. Supp. 2d 1304 (M.D. Fla. 2008)

. . . . § 495.131 and Florida common law; and Common Law Unfair Competition. (Dkts.l, 80). . . .

SAKURA JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE INC. a v. LIN YAN, INC. a, 827 So. 2d 1105 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2002)

. . . There was no allegation of infringement pursuant to section 495.131, Florida Statutes (2001). . . . .

GREAT SOUTHERN BANK, v. FIRST SOUTHERN BANK,, 625 So. 2d 463 (Fla. 1993)

. . . . § 495.131, Fla.Stat. (1989). . . . .

TALLY- HO, INC. A v. COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT,, 889 F.2d 1018 (11th Cir. 1989)

. . . . § 495.131 (West 1988) and pursue remedies under FLA.STAT.ANN. § 495.141 (West 1988). . . . alleges service mark infringement under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, et seq., and FLA.STAT.ANN. § 495.131 . . .

TIO PEPE, INC. v. EL TIO PEPE MIAMI RESTAURANT, INC., 523 So. 2d 1158 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1988)

. . . judge correctly states that the gist of an infringement claim, under both the common law and section 495.131 . . . Section 495.131 provides in relevant part: Subject to the provisions of s. 495.161 [recognizing common . . . the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C.A. § 1114(1), is very similar to that found in the Florida statute, section 495.131 . . . Only a handful of Florida cases have had opportunity to address Florida’s infringement statute, § 495.131 . . . 493 So.2d 37; American Bank, 455 So.2d 443, and these cases provide limited insight in construing § 495.131 . . .

CALIFORNIA CLUB REALTY, INC. v. COUNTRY CLUB REALTY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, INC. d b a, 493 So. 2d 37 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1986)

. . . Trust, 455 So.2d 443, 445-47 (Fla. 5th DCA 1984), pet. for review denied, 461 So.2d 114 (Fla.1985); § 495.131 . . .

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, v. BLUE CROSS MUTUAL CLINIC, INC., 612 F. Supp. 41 (S.D. Fla. 1985)

. . . Section 1338, and under Sections 495.131 and 495.161, Florida Statutes 1983. 28. . . .

F. SEPMEIER, v. TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, INC. J., 461 So. 2d 193 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1984)

. . . contend the use of the word Leathergram in the column constituted infringement pursuant to section 495.131 . . . Section 495.131(1) infringement requires that thq use of the service mark be “likely to cause confusion . . . Section 495.131(2) infringement requires application of the service mark to “labels, signs, prints, packages . . .

AMERICAN BANK OF MERRITT ISLAND, v. FIRST AMERICAN BANK AND TRUST,, 455 So. 2d 443 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1984)

. . . mark or symbol), (2) for statutory damages for infringement of a registered service mark under section 495.131 . . . defendant’s knowledge that its mark is intended to be used to cause confusion or mistake or to deceive (§ 495.131 . . .

BURGER KING CORPORATION, v. A. MASON, BURGER KING CORPORATION, a v. A. MASON,, 710 F.2d 1480 (11th Cir. 1983)

. . . . §§ 495.131, 495.141 (West 1972), disgorgement of profits earned is not the remedy for breach of contract . . .

BROADCASTING PUBLICATIONS, INC. v. BURNUP SIMS, INC., 582 F. Supp. 309 (S.D. Fla. 1983)

. . . . § 1125(a); Count III alleges infringement and dilution of a trademark under sections 495.131 and 495 . . .

SAFEWAY STORES, INCORPORATED, v. SAFEWAY DISCOUNT DRUGS, INC., 675 F.2d 1160 (11th Cir. 1982)

. . . .-151, unlike other Florida trademark statutes, see §§ 495.131 & 495.141, however, do not limit the protection . . .

STATE OF FLORIDA, v. REAL JUICES, INC. C., 330 F. Supp. 428 (M.D. Fla. 1971)

. . . Sec. 495.131 (i). . . .

ABNER S BEEF HOUSE CORPORATION, a s a s a s, a v. ABNER S INTERNATIONAL, INC. a, 227 So. 2d 865 (Fla. 1969)

. . . Section 495.131, F.S.A., which provides infringement of a registered mark shall subject the infringer . . .

ABNER S INTERNATIONAL, INC. a v. ABNER S BEEF HOUSE CORPORATION, a s a s a s, a, 220 So. 2d 683 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1969)

. . . . § 495.131(1), Fla.Stat., F.S.A., provides that this right to injunctive relief accrues to the owner . . .