Don't Buy This Pen--Montblanc Sues Costco for Trademark Infringement

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Oct 21st 2004 at 9:12PM

Montblanc has claimed the bulk retailer Costco in San Diego sells counterfeit pens of its pens to Mexican affiliates and so they have filed suit. Montblanc pens feature seven trademarks including the six-pointed-rounded star and Montblanc name. The lawsuit accuses Costco of altering Montblanc pens by replacing some of the parts of the pens with inferior products and changing the serial numbers. The pen maker said Costco's sale of the Montblanc pens would confuse consumers who are not alerted to the alterations. Costco is not an authorized dealer of the pens. The lawsuit also seeks to stop Costco from selling Montblanc pens or other products under the brand name and requires Costco to turn over their existing Montblanc pens for destruction. Montblanc is extremely protective of their brand because it is so often copied. They have posted a fraud warning on the first page of their website cautioning consumers.