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Trader Joe’s files an appeal over logo use

The retailer recently contested the use of a logo similar to its own by a Trader Joe’s union; the court ultimately sided with the union

Bill Wilson, Senior editor at Supermarket News

February 12, 2024

1 Min Read
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Trader Joe’s filed the lawsuit last year, saying at the time that it believed the merchandise would confuse consumers into thinking the grocer endorsed the union or had a hand at creating the logo.Getty Images

Trader Joe’s is back in court contesting the use of a logo with some similarities to its own. 

In January, a federal court in Los Angeles ruled that a logo which was used by a Trader Joe’s union does not resemble that of the logo used by the retailer, and therefore can continue to be used by the union in marketing and for other purposes. 

Ultimately, U.S. District Judge Hernan Vera dismissed the retailer’s lawsuit against the union, Trader Joe’s United, which had been using the logo on tote bags, buttons, mugs, and other products.

Now, the Monrovia, Calif.-based grocer has filed an appeal of that decision, reports an NBC affiliate.

When he dismissed the suit in January, Vera said at the time that the lawsuit could almost be interpreted as “frivolous and improper.” He said the union’s designs were not similar to Trader Joe’s trademarks, and that the only way consumers could buy any products with the Trader Joe’s United logo was on the union’s website.

Trader Joe’s filed the lawsuit last year, saying at the time that it believed the merchandise would confuse consumers into thinking the grocer endorsed the union or had a hand at creating the logo.

Trader Joe’s United asked for the suit to be dismissed in August, saying at that time that it believed Trader Joe’s lawsuit to be an attempt to discourage employees from unionizing.

Related:National Labor Relations Board hears complaints from a Trader Joe's store

 

 

 

About the Author

Bill Wilson

Senior editor at Supermarket News

Bill Wilson is the senior editor at Supermarket News, covering all things grocery and retail. He has been a journalist in the B2B industry for 25 years. He has received two Robert F. Boger awards for his work as a journalist in the infrastructure industry and has over 25 editorial awards total in his career. He graduated cum laude from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a major in broadcast communications.

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