HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Sportsheets International Inc., which offers a rainbow of restraints, sexual positioning products and strap-on harness products, said that it has won its battle with Amazon.com Inc. over its trademark.
Amazon had challenged the company over its “Under the Bed Restraint System” trademark, claiming that the collection of words describing the restraint were “too general.” Amazon made its complaint at the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
“It has been a long 18 months of continuous back and forth with regards to Sportsheets getting one of their trademarks, that is legally due to them, recognized by the world’s largest online retailer,” Sportsheets Marketing Director John Turi said.” On May 28, Amazon recognized the legal trademark ‘Under the Bed Restraint System.”
Turi said the U.S. government awarded a U.S. trademark — No. 86087238 — to Sportsheets in 2013.
“You can’t fault us for our item being a genericization, just like you can’t fault the brand Band-Aid for being the common term for a bandage,” Turi said. “What this means for Sportsheets moving forward is that it will be much easier to go after companies who have violated our trademark. It protects our brand name and products from counterfeiters. This is very important for all our retailers.”
Check out Sportsheets products here.
