RONNIE ABRAMS, District Judge:
Plaintiff Juicy Couture, Inc. ("Juicy" or "Plaintiff") brings this action against Defendants Bella International Limited, Juicy Girl Ltd., Gold Stable International Ltd., Goldstable International Corporation, John Suen, and Jessica Ching Ping Yang (collectively, "Defendants") asserting, inter alia, claims for trademark infringement, trademark counterfeiting and cybersquatting. Before the Court is Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin Defendants from counterfeiting and infringing Plaintiff's trademarks. The Court finds that Plaintiff has demonstrated the need for a preliminary injunction. The Court declines, however, to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction over Defendants' foreign activities. Accordingly, for the reasons that follow, Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction is granted in part and denied in part.
Plaintiff, a California corporation, has sold fashion apparel and related accessories since 1997. (Craig Samuelson Declaration, Aug. 22, 2012 ("Samuelson Decl.") ¶ 2.) Juicy's collections are sold in Juicy Couture boutiques throughout the world in over 800 specialty stores and over 280 department stores in the United States. (Id. ¶ 11.) Plaintiff also maintains an online retail store at www.juicycouture.com. (Id.) Plaintiff has spent hundreds of millions of dollars advertising its products through traditional media as well as social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. (Id. ¶ 9.) Juicy prides itself on having introduced a "`California lifestyle' to the world — an `irreverent, fun, and on-trend lifestyle brand.'" (Id. ¶ 7.) Its best known product is a velour tracksuit, which was introduced in 2001 and has since been worn by celebrities including Madonna, Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow, as have many of its other products. (Id. ¶¶ 7-8, 10.) Juicy products generated over $1.5 billion in sales from 2009 through 2011. (Id. ¶ 11.)
Plaintiff owns several federally registered trademarks (the "Juicy Marks"). These registered trademarks include JUICY, JUICY COUTURE, JUICY GIRL, CHOOSE JUICY, JUICY BABY, BORN IN THE GLAMOROUS USA and several design marks, including but not limited to the following:
(List of Plaintiff's Registered Marks ("Samuelson Decl. Ex. A.").)
Defendants use the marks JUICY GIRL, JUICYLICIOUS and JG in the promotion and sales of their Juicy Girl products. (Tamara Tarbutton Declaration, Aug. 17, 2012 ("Tarbutton Decl.") ¶¶ 26, 31; Nanny Munno Declaration, Aug. 6, 2012 ("Munno Decl.") ¶ 7.) Defendants also use the following design mark, which incorporates the phrase Juicy Girl, the initials JG, a crown and gothic lettering:
While the majority of Defendants' sales are made abroad, Defendants have sold products containing these marks in the United States through the website www.juicygirl.com.hk (the "HK Website"). (Suen Decl. ¶ 16; Tarbutton Decl. ¶ 9; Munno Decl. ¶ 7.) The HK Website is maintained and operated in Hong Kong.
A google.com search for "Juicy Girl" yields Plaintiffs website as the first hit (which appears to be a paid advertisement) and Defendants' website as the second unpaid hit. (Screenshot of google.com search ("Tarbutton Decl. Ex. F.").)
In 2008, Plaintiff sued Defendants for trademark infringement in Hong Kong (the "Hong Kong action"). (Suen Decl. ¶ 25.) Discovery in the Hong Kong action has been completed and the parties anticipate a trial sometime in 2013. (Defs.' Opp'n 8; Transcript of February 14, 2013 Hearing ("Tr.") 11.)
On July 27, 2012, Plaintiff filed a complaint against Defendants in this Court alleging the following six causes of action: (1) trademark infringement and counterfeiting pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1114; (2) unfair competition and false designation of origin pursuant to 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a); (3) cybersquatting pursuant to the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(d)(1); (4) unlawful deceptive acts and practices under New York Business Law; (5) common law trademark infringement; and (6) common law unfair competition. (Compl. ¶¶ 44-78.) The instant motion, filed on August 27, 2012, seeks to enjoin Defendants from the following during the pendency of this action:
(Pl.'s Mot. 2.) Plaintiff's motion also requests that the Court "further order[], to effect the requested relief, that, during the pendency of this [a]ction, Defendants' websites... be disabled by the appropriate domain name registries or registrars." (Id.) After the motion was fully briefed and limited discovery was conducted, the
"A preliminary injunction is an extraordinary remedy." Winter v. Natural Res. Def. Council, 555 U.S. 7, 24, 129 S.Ct. 365, 172 L.Ed.2d 249 (2008). A party seeking a preliminary injunction must show: (1) a likelihood of success on the merits; (2) a likelihood of irreparable harm in the absence of the injunction; (3) that the balance of hardships tips in the movant's favor; and (4) that the public interest is not disserved by the issuance of the injunction. Salinger v. Colting, 607 F.3d 68, 79-80 (2d Cir.2010); Bulman v. 2BKCO, Inc., 882 F.Supp.2d 551, 557 (S.D.N.Y.2012). A court can also grant a preliminary injunction "in situations where it cannot determine with certainty that the moving party is more likely than not to prevail on the merits of the underlying claim, but where the costs outweigh the benefits of not granting the injunction." Citigroup Global Mkts., Inc. v. VCG Special Opportunities Master Fund Ltd., 598 F.3d 30, 35 (2d Cir.2010). The party seeking the injunction must demonstrate "by a clear showing" that the necessary elements are satisfied. Mazurek v. Armstrong, 520 U.S. 968, 972, 117 S.Ct. 1865, 138 L.Ed.2d 162 (1997).
In arguing its likelihood of success on the merits, Plaintiff principally relies on its claim for trademark infringement pursuant to Section 32 of the Lanham Act.
Courts look to the following factors, enumerated in Polaroid Corp. v. Polarad Elecs. Corp., 287 F.2d 492 (2d Cir. 1961), to determine whether a likelihood of confusion exists between two sets of marks: (1) the strength of the plaintiff's mark; (2) the similarity of the marks; (3) the competitive proximity of the products in the marketplace; (4) the likelihood that the senior user will "bridge the gap" by moving into the junior user's product market; (5) evidence of actual confusion; (6) the junior user's bad faith in adopting the mark; (7) the respective quality of the products; and (8) the sophistication of the consumers in the relevant market. Id. at 495. "[E]ach factor must be evaluated in the context of how it bears on the ultimate question of likelihood of confusion as to the source of the product." Brennan's Inc. v. Brennan's Rest., LLC, 360 F.3d 125, 130 (2d Cir.2004) (quoting Lois Sportswear, U.S.A., Inc. v. Levi Strauss & Co., 799 F.2d 867, 872 (2d Cir.1986)). Because the analysis for the first prong of an infringement claim — whether a trademark is valid and entitled to protection — overlaps with the analysis used to assess the first Polaroid factor — strength of Plaintiff's mark — the Court discusses the strength and validity of the Juicy Marks together. See Arrow Fastener Co., Inc. v. Stanley Works, 59 F.3d 384, 391 (2d Cir.1995) ("A court's inquiry regarding the strength of a mark often parallels the inquiry concerning the mark's validity, inasmuch as the strength or distinctiveness of a mark determines both the ease with which it may be established as a valid trademark and the degree of protection it will be accorded.") (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).
"The strength of a particular mark is measured by the degree to which it indicates source or origin of the product." Nora Beverages, Inc. v. Perrier Grp. of Am., Inc., 269 F.3d 114, 123 (2d Cir. 2001). A mark's strength may be based on its inherent distinctiveness or the distinctiveness it has acquired in the marketplace. See Brennan's, 360 F.3d at 130-31. Registered marks are presumptively distinctive, although this can be overcome by showing that a registered mark is generic or is descriptive without secondary meaning. Abercrombie & Fitch Co. v. Hunting World, Inc., 537 F.2d 4, 11 (2d Cir.1976); Giggle, Inc. v. netFocal, Inc., 856 F.Supp.2d 625, 629-30 (S.D.N.Y.2012). "[W]hen a plaintiff sues for infringement of its registered mark, the defendant bears the burden to rebut the presumption of [the] mark's protectibility by a preponderance of the evidence." Lane Capital Mgmt., Inc. v. Lane Capital Mgmt., Inc., 192 F.3d 337, 345 (2d Cir.1999). Defendants have not presented any evidence that the presumption is inapplicable in this instance. Accordingly, the Juicy Marks "should be afforded the utmost protection." Lois Sportswear, 799 F.2d at 871.
Furthermore, Plaintiff has demonstrated that these marks have acquired distinctiveness. In determining whether a mark has acquired distinctiveness, courts consider a number of non-exhaustive factors: (1) advertising expenditures; (2) sales success; (3) unsolicited media coverage of the product; (4) attempts to plagiarize the mark; (5) the length and exclusivity of the mark's use; and (6) consumer studies linking the name to the source. See Thompson Med. Co., Inc. v. Pfizer Inc., 753 F.2d 208, 217 (2d Cir.1985). No one factor is determinative, and not all factors need to be proved. L &
Given the degree of protection afforded to registered marks and the acquired distinctiveness of the Juicy Marks, the marks are valid and deserving of protection, satisfying the first element of an infringement claim, and are strong marks, providing persuasive support for a finding of a likelihood of confusion under the first Polaroid factor.
When evaluating the similarity of marks, "courts look to the overall impression created by the [marks] and the context in which they are found and consider the totality of factors that could cause confusion among prospective purchasers." Gruner + Jahr USA Publ'g v. Meredith Corp., 991 F.2d 1072, 1078 (2d Cir.1993). Defendants' marks, JUICY GIRL, JUICYLICIOUS and JG are similar, if not identical (i.e., Juicy Girl), to the Juicy Marks in name alone. The contexts in which they are found are likely to cause further confusion. The design mark utilized by Defendants shown above, in Section Part I.B., for example, is similar in both name and design to a number of Plaintiff's marks. That design mark incorporates the word "Juicy," the initials "JG," a stylized gothic script, and the image of a crown similar to that used in some of Plaintiff's marks. The images below, with Plaintiff's on the left and Defendants' on the right, provide another example of the similarities between one of Defendants' marks and one of Plaintiff's:
(Samuelson Decl. Ex. A)
(Suen Deposition Ex. 20.)
The parties' marks also appear in similar contexts as both are used in the sale, packaging and promotion of women's apparel and accessories. Both parties use their marks on the products themselves, as well as in advertisements and promotions in traditional and social media outlets. Plaintiff has presented compelling evidence of similarities between its advertising campaigns and Defendants' promotional materials, called "stylebooks." (Tr. 84; Pl.'s Hearing Exs. 3-5.) Two promotional images presented at the hearing, for example, featured a blonde woman modeling a black tracksuit with gold writing along the pant leg — Plaintiff's which says Juicy Couture and Defendants' which says JG (Samuelson Dec. ¶ 15; Screenshot from www.juicylicious.com.hk ("Tarbutton Decl. Ex. N").) Both images also use gothic lettering
The third Polaroid factor considers the extent to which the parties' products compete with each other for customers. See Brennan's, 360 F.3d at 134. In considering this factor, courts examine "the nature of the products themselves and the structure of the relevant market," including "the manner in which the products are advertised, and the channels through which the goods are sold." Cadbury Beverages v. Cott Corp., 73 F.3d 474, 480 (2d Cir.1996) (citing Vitarroz v. Borden, Inc., 644 F.2d 960, 967 (2d Cir.1981)). Here, the parties' products are advertised and sold in the same channels. Both parties sell apparel and accessories on the Internet and target women and girls as consumers.
One distinguishing feature, however, is that Defendants have only sold products in the United States through the Internet, whereas a substantial percentage of Plaintiff's sales in the United States are through brick and mortar stores. This means that shoppers who exclusively purchase in retail locations will not be at risk of encountering Defendants' products and being confused as to the source of the goods. See New Look Party Ltd. v. Louise Paris Ltd., No. 11 Civ. 6433(NRB), 2012 WL 251976, at *7 (S.D.N.Y. Jan. 11, 2012) (finding "the fact that plaintiff does not sell its clothing in any physical locations in the United States" when the defendant does "weighs heavily against finding a likelihood of confusion"). Nonetheless, insofar as Defendants' products are available online to United States consumers, the parties' products are in close competitive proximity. Accordingly, this factor weighs in favor of Plaintiff.
"The term `bridging the gap' is used to describe the senior user's interest in preserving avenues of expansion and entering into related fields." NYC Triathlon LLC v. NYC Triathlon Club, Inc., 704 F.Supp.2d 305, 338 (S.D.N.Y.2010) (quoting CLASS Promotions, Inc. v. DS Magazines, Inc., 753 F.2d 14, 18 (2d Cir.1985)). No evidence has been presented of a gap of this sort. This factor thus favors neither party.
Plaintiff has not presented any evidence of actual confusion and this factor similarly favors neither party. The Court notes, however, that "actual confusion need not be shown to prevail under the Lanham Act, since actual confusion is very difficult to prove and the Act requires only a likelihood of confusion as to source." Savin Corp. v. Savin Grp., 391 F.3d 439, 459 (2d Cir.2004) (quoting Lois Sportswear, 799 F.2d at 875).
The "inquiry into willfulness or bad faith `considers whether defendant
Defendants maintain that they were the first to use the Juicy Girl mark in Hong Kong — a contention that is being actively litigated in the Hong Kong action — but make no representation that they were unaware of Plaintiff's marks when they began to sell to consumers in the United States. Nonetheless, there is no direct evidence in the record before the Court that Defendants entered the U.S. market with the intention of "capitalizing on plaintiff's reputation and goodwill." See De Beers, 440 F.Supp.2d at 278. According to Defendants, their sales to the U.S. are "de minimis" and "[i]n its normal course of business, [they] do[] not direct [their] advertising or marketing to the U.S." (Defs.' Opp'n 5-6.) While the glaring similarities between the marks and the context in which they are used suggest Defendants' bad faith, the Court hesitates to make such a finding at this stage, particularly given Defendants' outstanding claim to rightful ownership of the mark abroad, and the Court need not do so in light of its ultimate ruling.
This factor requires the Court to "consider[] whether the senior user's reputation could be `tarnished by [the] inferior merchandise of the junior user.'" Cadbury Beverages, 73 F.3d at 483 (2d Cir.1996) (quoting Scarves by Vera, Inc. v. Todo Imps. Ltd., 544 F.2d 1167, 1172 (2d Cir.1976)). As a result, this factor "goes more to the harm that confusion can cause the plaintiffs mark and reputation than to the likelihood of confusion." Virgin Enters., Ltd. v. Nawab, 335 F.3d 141, 152 (2d Cir.2003). Plaintiff argues that Defendants' products are of an inferior quality and claims that as a result, there is a strong risk that Defendants' use of the Juicy Marks will "jeopardize Plaintiffs highly regarded and longstanding reputation." (Pl.'s Mem. 17.) Defendants have submitted evidence of Hong Kong celebrity consumers and press coverage and accolades from the Hong Kong community, creating some doubt as to whether and to what degree, Defendants' products are viewed in an inferior light. (Suen Decl. ¶¶ 9-11.) At this stage, without having examined the products themselves or having received evidence of a disparity in quality, the Court is unable to make a finding on this issue.
The final Polaroid factor is "grounded on the belief that unsophisticated consumers aggravate the likelihood of confusion." Simon & Schuster, Inc. v. Dove Audio, Inc., 970 F.Supp. 279, 300 (S.D.N.Y.1997). Courts have held that shopping for casual apparel does not require a heightened degree of care by the purchaser. See, e.g., THOIP v. Walt Disney Co., 736 F.Supp.2d 689, 714-15 (S.D.N.Y.2010) ("[A]lthough a consumer can be expected to "examine the shirt, consider alternatives, and even try it on," the purchase of a relatively inexpensive t-shirt does not call for "any degree of sophistication."); Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. v. Calvin Clothing Co., 444 F.Supp.2d 250, 257 (S.D.N.Y.2006) ("[T]he average clothing customer is not particularly sophisticated."). A prior decision in this district, however, has found that "consumers who are aware of [Juicy] Couture
Having considered each of the Polaroid factors, the Court finds that Plaintiff has demonstrated a likelihood of confusion. The strength of Plaintiffs marks, similarities of the parties' marks and their competitive proximity, often considered the three most significant factors, all strongly favor Plaintiff. See Marks Org., Inc. v. Joles, 784 F.Supp.2d 322, 330 (S.D.N.Y.2011) ("[C]ourts generally hold that the first three factors [of the Polaroid test] are the most significant."); NYC Triathlon, 704 F.Supp.2d at 341 (citing Mobil Oil Corp. v. Pegasus Petrol. Corp., 818 F.2d 254, 258 (2d Cir.1987)).
"A showing of irreparable harm is `the single most important prerequisite for the issuance of a preliminary injunction.'" Faiveley Transp. Malmo AB v. Wabtec Corp., 559 F.3d 110, 118 (2d Cir.2009) (quoting Rodriguez v. DeBuono, 175 F.3d 227, 234 (2d Cir.1999)). "To satisfy the irreparable harm requirement, plaintiff[] must demonstrate that absent a preliminary injunction [it] will suffer an injury that is neither remote nor speculative, but actual and imminent, and one that cannot be remedied if a court waits until the end of trial to resolve the harm." Id. (alterations and internal quotation marks omitted). Furthermore, a plaintiff must show "that there is a continuing harm which cannot be adequately redressed by final relief on the merits and for which money damages cannot provide adequate compensation." Kamerling v. Massanari, 295 F.3d 206, 214 (2d Cir.2002) (internal quotation marks omitted).
"Irreparable harm exists in a trademark case when the party seeking the injunction shows that it will lose control over the reputation of its trademark... because loss of control over one's reputation is neither `calculable nor precisely compensable.'" U.S. Polo Ass'n, Inc. v. PRL USA Holdings Inc., 800 F.Supp.2d 515, 540 (S.D.N.Y.2011); NYC Triathlon, 704 F.Supp.2d at 343 ("Prospective loss of... goodwill alone is sufficient to support a finding of irreparable harm.") (citing Tom Doherty Associates v. Saban Entm't, Inc., 60 F.3d 27, 37-38 (2d Cir.1995)). Plaintiff has invested substantial effort and resources in developing the goodwill associated with the Juicy Marks. Defendants' infringement in the United States puts that goodwill at risk by limiting Plaintiff's ability to control its brand. See Stern's Miracle-Gro Prods., Inc. v. Shark Prods., Inc., 823 F.Supp. 1077, 1094 (S.D.N.Y. 1993) (plaintiff's expenditure of $100 million establishing its brand contributed to potential hardship if defendant was not enjoined from further use of the "Miracle Gro" mark); Bulman, 882 F.Supp.2d at 564 (likelihood of "future confusion" and "prospective loss of goodwill" despite no claim of "lost business, sales or revenues" sufficient to establish irreparable harm). Furthermore, although irreparable harm may not be presumed upon a showing of likelihood of success on the merits, see eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, LLC, 547 U.S. 388, 393, 126 S.Ct. 1837, 164 L.Ed.2d 641 (2006), a party's demonstration of a likelihood of success on an infringement claim often foretells a finding of irreparable harm. See Marks Org., 784 F.Supp.2d at 334 ("[A]lthough a likelihood of confusion does not create a presumption of irreparable injury, a particularly strong likelihood of confusion should weigh in favor of finding irreparable injury."). The Court finds that to be the case here.
Plaintiffs have known about Defendants' sales to the United States since at least July 16, 2012 and perhaps as early as April 2012. (Tarbutton Decl. ¶ 26; Defs.' Opp'n 9.) Plaintiff represents that from this time until the filing of the motion it was continuing to investigate the extent of Defendants' domestic activities. (Pl.'s Reply 2.) While Plaintiff's delay may call into question its sense of urgency, the Court does not find the amount of time Plaintiff took to move for preliminary relief to be unreasonable. See, e.g., Bulman, 882 F.Supp.2d at 564-65 (delay of several months did not preclude finding of irreparable harm); Marks Org., 784 F.Supp.2d at 332-36 (granting preliminary injunction despite nearly sixteen-month delay between learning of infringing conduct and filing of motion).
A court must also "consider the balance of hardships between the plaintiff and defendant and issue the injunction only if the balance of hardships tips in the plaintiff's favor." Salinger, 607 F.3d at 80. If Defendants continue to sell their products in the United States, Plaintiff faces potential loss of sales, goodwill and control over its reputation. By contrast, enjoining Defendants from using the Juicy Marks in connection with sales or advertising in the United States would not present significant hardship because their current sales in the United States are minimal, particularly in comparison to their sales in Hong Kong, Macao, and the People's Republic of China. Such an injunction would not affect the mainstay of Defendants' business. Thus, the balance of hardships tips in Plaintiff's favor with regard to a carefully tailored injunction.
Finally, the Court must "ensure that the `public interest would not be disserved' by the issuance of a preliminary injunction." Salinger, 607 F.3d at 80 (quoting eBay, 547 U.S. at 391, 126 S.Ct. 1837). The Second Circuit has long held that there is a "strong interest in preventing public confusion." ProFitness Phys. Therapy Ctr. v. Pro-Fit Ortho. and Sports Phys. Therapy P.C., 314 F.3d 62, 68 (2d Cir.2002). Plaintiff has established that Defendants' actions are likely to cause consumer confusion. Therefore, the public interest would not be disserved by the issuance of a preliminary injunction.
In sum, Plaintiff has demonstrated that (1) it is likely to succeed on the merits of its trademark infringement claim; (2) it is likely to suffer irreparable harm in the absence of an injunction; (3) the balance of hardships tips in its favor; and (4) the public interest will not be disserved by the issuance of an injunction. Accordingly, injunctive relief is appropriate. The remaining question, however, is the proper scope of that injunction.
Defendants argue that this action "is predicated on a false premise that this Court has jurisdiction over [Defendants'] Hong Kong website www.juicygirl.com.hk based on the de minimis sales made to the United States." (Defs.' Opp'n 18.) They argue that the broad injunction Plaintiff seeks requires the improper extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act.
It is well-established that United States courts have jurisdiction to apply the Lanham Act to allegedly infringing conduct occurring outside the United States when necessary to prevent harm to United States commerce. See Steele v. Bulova Watch Co., 344 U.S. 280, 285-86, 73 S.Ct. 252, 97 L.Ed. 319 (1952) (affirming an injunction prohibiting a U.S. citizen from selling fake watches in Mexico in part because such sales adversely affected the trademark holder in America). In Vanity Fair Mills, Inc. v. T. Eaton Co., 234 F.2d 633 (2d Cir.1956), the Second Circuit articulated three factors to consider when determining whether the Lanham Act should be applied to extraterritorial conduct: (1) whether the defendant is a United States citizen; (2) whether there exists a conflict between the defendant's trademark rights under foreign law and the plaintiff's trademark rights under domestic law; and (3) whether the defendant's conduct has a substantial effect on United States commerce. Id. at 642; Atl. Richfield Co. v. ARCO Globus Int'l Co., 150 F.3d 189, 192 (2d Cir.1998). "[T]he absence of one of the above factors might well be determinative," and the absence of two "is certainly fatal." Vanity Fair, 234 F.2d at 643; see also Totalplan Corp. of Am. v. Colborne, 14 F.3d 824, 831 (2d Cir.1994) (observing that the absence of two factors "is fatal to an argument that the conduct is governed by the Lanham Act"). "[C]ourts are to balance the factors in deciding whether the `contacts and interests of the United States are sufficient to support the exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction.'" Software AG Inc. v. Consist Software Solutions, Inc., No. 08 Civ. 389(CM), 2008 WL 563449, at *14 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 21, 2008) (quoting Warnaco, Inc. v. VF Corp., 844 F.Supp. 940, 950 (S.D.N.Y.1994)).
While several provisions of Plaintiff's proposed injunction do not implicate principles of extraterritoriality, Plaintiff seeks, inter alia, an order that would disable the HK Website, which is owned, operated and hosted in Hong Kong. Having balanced the Vanity Fair factors, the Court concludes that extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act is inappropriate at this time.
"[W]hen a plaintiff has sought to extend the Lanham Act to the foreign activities of foreign defendants, courts have scrutinized with care the nexus between the foreign defendant's activities within the United States and the conduct giving rise to the Lanham Act claims." Aerogroup Int'l, Inc. v. Marlboro Footworks, Ltd., 955 F.Supp. 220, 228-29 (S.D.N.Y.1997). It is uncontested that five out of the six defendants in this case are not citizens of the United States. While in some cases it may be proper to ignore certain defendants' foreign citizenship — for instance when principal defendants are United States citizens, id. at 231 — Plaintiff has not shown why the citizenship of only one of the six defendants is sufficient in this instance.
In each of the cases cited by Plaintiff in which a court applied the Lanham Act extraterritorially to a foreign defendant, other factors were present which justified treating that defendant as a U.S. citizen, such as the defendant's residence in the United States or exercise of considerable control over a U.S. corporation engaging in infringing activities. See A.V. by Versace, Inc. v. Gianni Versace S.p.A., 126 F.Supp.2d 328, 337 (S.D.N.Y.2001) (finding that defendant, who "resided in and [had] done business in the United States for over forty years" was a "constructive" U.S. citizen); Calvin Klein Indus., Inc. v. BFK Hong Kong, Ltd., 714 F.Supp. 78, 80 (S.D.N.Y.1989) (finding that a foreign defendant could be treated as a U.S. citizen because he "resid[ed] in New York and was the controlling force behind" a New York corporation); A.T. Cross Co. v. Sunil Trading Corp., 467 F.Supp. 47, 50 n. 5 (S.D.N.Y.1979) (applying Lanham Act extraterritorially to foreign defendant who had resided in the U.S. for six years, because "he was in all respects acting in his capacity as an officer of a New York corporation when engaged in the purchase and sale of the counterfeit pens").
Here, however, there is no evidence that the single U.S. citizen defendant, Goldstable Corp., exercised any control over Defendants' operations, let alone the type of control that would permit the Court to ignore the foreign status of the five remaining defendants. Indeed, the only evidence in the record of Goldstable Corp.'s role in the alleged infringement is that the products sold to Plaintiff's investigators contained a registration number linked to Goldstable Corp. in a Federal Trade Commission database at an address associated with Defendant Yang. (Tarbutton Decl. ¶¶ 27-29.) Moreover, there is testimony in the record that Goldstable Corp. was not involved in the sales or marketing of the Juicy Girl brand but rather was established for another one of Defendants' apparel brands. (Deposition of John Suen 64:13-25.) The evidence of Goldstable Corp.'s role in the infringing activity thus provides no nexus between the foreign Defendants' activities in the United States and the infringing conduct. See Aerogroup, 955 F.Supp. at 228-29. This factor weighs against extraterritorial application.
The next Vanity Fair factor, which requires the Court to consider whether a conflict exists with trademark rights under foreign law, also weighs against extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act. The Lanham Act should not be applied extraterritorially against defendants "acting under presumably valid trade-marks in a foreign country." Vanity Fair, 234 F.2d at 643. The Second Circuit based this conclusion on "practical considerations such as the difficulty of obtaining extraterritorial enforcement of domestic law, as well as on considerations of international comity and respect for national
Lastly, the Court considers whether Defendants' infringement has a substantial effect on United States commerce. Congress sought to limit extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act to "foreign uses that have significant trademark-impairing effect upon American commerce." Sterling Drug. Inc. v. Bayer AG, 14 F.3d 733, 746 (2d Cir.1994) (instructing district court, on remand, to craft injunction that prohibits only those uses of mark abroad that have substantial effect on U.S. commerce).
One way in which the substantial effect on U.S. commerce prong may be met is through a showing of consumer confusion or harm to the plaintiff's reputation. See Bulova, 344 U.S. at 286, 73 S.Ct. 252 (upholding extraterritorial application of the Lanham Act in part because of evidence that the defendant's goods resulted in confusion and led to a substantial effect on U.S. commerce); Gucci Am., Inc. v. Guess?, Inc., 790 F.Supp.2d 136, 143 (S.D.N.Y.2011) ("[A] showing of consumer confusion or harm to plaintiff's goodwill in the United States is sufficient to demonstrate a `substantial effect on United States commerce.'"); Piccoli A/S v. Calvin Klein Jeanswear Co., 19 F.Supp.2d 157, 170 (S.D.N.Y.1998); cf. Atl. Richfield, 150 F.3d at 192 (finding no substantial effect citing absence of "evidence that domestic consumers have been misled or have come to view the [] mark less favorably as a result of [the] foreign activities"). Cases have also noted that "where the likelihood of consumer confusion or harm to a protected plaintiff's reputation is great, the substantial effect test has been satisfied," A.V. by Versace, 126 F.Supp.2d at 340, although those cases have tended to rely on proof of actual confusion.
Plaintiff argues that Defendants' actions have a substantial effect on U.S. commerce because Defendants' infringement causes, and is intended to cause, confusion in the United States. With regard to the HK Website, Plaintiff asserts that the site is available in English, indicates that Juicy Girl sells its products worldwide, and includes information on international shipping costs. (Tarbutton Decl. ¶¶ 5-8.) It further relies on the evidence that the HK website is the second unpaid hit resulting from a google.com search of "Juicy Girl" to show not only the likelihood of confusion between the parties' products, but the effect of Defendants' infringement on U.S. commerce as well as Plaintiffs business. Plaintiff also notes that Defendants filed an application for registration of the trademark "Juicy Girl" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which required Defendants to acknowledge their "bona fide intention to use" the mark in the United States. (Elias Decl. ¶ 8; Defendants' USPTO Application ("Elias Decl. Ex. D").)
Plaintiff also argues that Defendants' U.S. sales constitute sufficient evidence of a substantial effect on U.S. commerce. It cites Fun-Damental Too, Ltd. v. Gemmy
Even if Plaintiff is correct that evidence of likelihood of confusion, an intent to increase domestic activity and limited sales to the U.S. from a foreign website suffices to satisfy the substantial effects prong of the Vanity Fair test, it is insufficient to overcome Plaintiff's failure to prove that either of the remaining factors weighs in its favor.
Accordingly, balancing the Vanity Fair factors, the Court finds that extraterritorial application is inappropriate at this time. Should further discovery or other information warrant the Court's reconsideration of this issue, Plaintiff will have the opportunity to present it in connection with a motion for a permanent injunction. At the preliminary injunction stage, however, the Court concludes that the Lanham Act should not be applied extraterritorially to enjoin Defendants' activity on the HK Website, or any other websites hosted abroad.
For the foregoing reasons, Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction is granted in part and denied in part. Plaintiff is directed to submit a proposed order consistent with this Opinion by March 18, 2013. Defendants shall submit any opposition to Plaintiffs proposed order by March 22, 2013. By March 18, 2013, the parties shall also submit individual letters, no longer than two pages, addressing the appropriate security to be posted by Plaintiff. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 65(c).
SO ORDERED.
