LOS ANGELES—eXXXotica parent company Victory Tradeshow Management has filed suit against Adultcon’s corporate parent, alleging that the later has surreptitiously registered domain names that infringe upon its registered trademark.
The complaint, filed yesterday by Victory Tradeshow attorney Michael Fattorosi in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, alleges that Adultcon parent, Live Entertainment, registered 19 websites that infringe upon its registered trademark of “eXXXotica” thus causing confusion in the marketplace between the two shows.
The six counts detailed in the complaint allege trademark infringement and dilution, unfair competition and cybersquatting. All 19 domain names in question redirect to Adultcon.com.
According to the complaint, Victory has been using the name eXXXotica since March 6, 2006, and obtained a trademark for the term on Oct. 14, 2008. The suit states that Adultcon purposely registered said sites using the term eXXXotica and other confusingly similar titles to divert business away from Victory.
“[Adultcon’s] registration and redirection of web sites containing [eXXXotica] is a deliberate attempt to trade on [Victory Tradeshow’s] goodwill and the prestige of [its] products and services,” the complaint states. “[Adultcon’s] conduct has caused, and will continue to cause significant damages, including lost sales and profits, and irreparable harm to [Victory Tradeshow].”
The domain names mentioned in the suit are Exxxotica-lv.com, ExxxoticaExpo-LA.com, ExxxoticaExpo-LV.com, ExxxoticaExpoLA.com, ExxxoticaExpoLV.com, ExxxoticaLA.com, ExxxoticaLasVegas.com, ExxxoticaLosAngeles.com, Exxxoticalv.com; ExxxoticaVegas.com; ExoticaExpo-LA.com, ExoticaExpo-LV.com, ExoticaExpoLA.com, ExoticaExpoLV.com, ExoticaLA.com, ExoticaLosAngeles.com, ExoticaLV.com, ExoticavaLasVegas.com and ExoticaVegas.com.
The suit seeks damages of up to $100,000 per domain name, attorney's fees and a jury trial.
Adultcon has operated 18 fan shows at the Los Angeles Convention Center in downtown L.A. and also produces a similar show in Las Vegas.
eXXXotica has produced five events in Miami at the Miami Beach Convention Center and two years ago expanded into New Jersey.
Adultcon principal Renaud West declined comment to AVN last night saying that he hadn’t yet been served with the complaint. Victory Tradeshow attorney Michael Fattorosi also declined comment citing pending litigation.
To read a copy of the complaint, click here.
