Famous Rabbit Trademark to Remain on CirTran’s Playboy Energy Drink
4th Win in 4 Legal Battles with Playboy Corporation
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
CirTran Corporation (OTC BB: CIRC) announced today that Playboy’s motion to prevent Play Beverages and CirTran Beverage from selling Playboy Energy Drink was denied by Judge Robert W. Gettleman without prejudice, and that Play Beverages’ motion to stay the federal action in favor of its state lawsuit in Chicago against Playboy was granted
In the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois’ Eastern Division, Judge Gettleman granted a motion by Play Beverages, LLC, CirTran Beverage Corporation and CirTran Corporation, denying a motion by Playboy Enterprises International, Inc., without prejudice. Playboy had filed on February 1, 2013, seeking to enjoin PlayBev and the CirTran companies from using the trademark, with the defendants counter filing on March 5.
Following Judge Gettleman’s ruling, a report for status and review has been set for October 17, 2013.
In 2012, CirTran’s beverage distribution revenues were up 39% from 2011, and accounted for 98% of its sales. CirTran has operations in Asia, including China, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as in the U.S., South America, Europe and Canada. To date, CirTran has operations in over 20 countries.
“The win last week in U.S. District Court continued CirTran’s very successful litigation on behalf of our beverage business,” said Iehab J. Hawatmeh, the company’s founder, chairman and president.
“Since December 2012, it has been win after win for our beverage business, with CirTran and our partners successful in all settled-to-date and court proceedings involving the Playboy Energy Drink-centric beverage business,” Mr. Hawatmeh said. “A settlement last month, he said, relieved CirTran of approximately $1.4 million in accrued royalties and other debt obligations claimed by former Play Beverages’ partners.
“Despite time-consuming and costly litigation, CirTran continues to move forward with our Playboy Energy Drink business in North America and around the world,” he said.
