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The Naked
Truth
Our goal was to expose the intent and
scope of misuse of our client's trademark for purposes
of nude beauty pageants. We were given the names of two
women and one phone number. We checked various business
directories and the relevant secretary of state's office
but found no listing for the company associated with these
women or the phone number. Cross-referenced telephone
directories listed a telephone number under a man's name.
Internet research revealed an industry site linking the
women in that they owned a "pageant series"
related to the mark in question. We called the phone number
and spoke with one of the women who disclosed that her
use of the trademark in question was not for nude beauty
pageants, but a "title her dancers were awarded based
on points earned throughout the year". She promised
to send us word of future pageants, provided her business
number and then declined to answer further questions.
Calls to the business were not returned, but a recording
listed the name of her production company, which held
itself out as sponsoring a beauty pageant as well as a
domestic exotic dancer series. Using cross-referenced
telephone directories, new secretary of state information,
and additional business databases, we located the current
owner's home address, business details and contact information
for a third partner. Our findings were sent to our client
in a timely report. Our client then did what they do in
the privacy of their own offices. |
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