SAN DIEGO — The American Automobile Association is suing Quality Inn, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition.
American Automobile Association, Inc. filed a complaint Nov. 1 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California against Quality Inn San Diego Downtown North; WPI Ltd, and Does 1 through 10, alleging violation of the Federal Service Mark Infringement and Lanham Act.
According to the complaint, the association is sole owner of numerous famous registered trademarks incorporating the AAA marks in the United States and throughout the world. The plaintiff alleges the defendants have been providing tourist accommodations using the AAA trademarks and are not authorized to do so in connection with its goods or services. As a result, the use of the same mark will cause confusion and mistake to consumers, the suit says.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants have used and continue to use the famous AAA marks without consent of the registered owner and have failed to cease and desist from all the uses of the marks in connection with their goods and service despite receiving a cease and desist letter.
The AAA seeks damages of more than $500,000, with punitive damages, attorney fees, pre- and post-judgment interest, and all further relief the court deems proper. They are represented by attorneys Michael Adams and Meredith Williams of Rutan & Tucker, LLP in Costa Mesa, California.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California case number 3:17-cv-02232-JAH-WVG