Peter Shimamoto authors an opinion as a guest contributor of AsAm News.
In the wake of Aloha Poke Co.’s attempts to prevent other restaurants from using the name “Aloha Poke” on their menus, Peter discusses how the Chicago-based company’s position has little legal validity.
After the company obtained federal trademark registrations for “Aloha Poke,” its attorneys issued several cease and desist letters to restaurants also using “Aloha Poke.” When a Hawaiian restaurant refused to comply, there was much public backlash against the Aloha Poke Co.
Peter asserts that the poke chain’s position is not supported by trademark law and in fact violates section 2(a) of the Lanham Act. It falsely implies the restaurant chain is connected with Hawaii and Hawaiians. The article goes on to cite several
Read the full article here.
