Uber (the ride hailing firm) is causing a headache for Uber (the IT firm)
Healthcare IT firm sues Uber for trademark infringement following being inundated with misdirected communication.
A healthcare IT firm in Florida called Uber Operations, LLC is suing ride hailing firm Uber Technologies for trademark infringement following dealing with confusion between the two firms.
The lawsuit (pdf) explains a number of headaches the firm has experienced from people thinking it is the ride hailing firm.:
Actual client confusion, initial interest confusion and/or reverse confusion have by now occurred on numerous occasions, all to the detriment of Uber Operations. In fact, Uber Operations receives and has received multiple telephone calls and emails from the public looking for or complaining regarding Uber Tech and/or its goods and services. Uber Operations has received thousands of calls, emails, and faxes directed to Uber Tech. This is a constant business interruption and distraction, resulting in lost time and productivity. In addition, Uber Operations has been sent information relating to background checks, credit checks and other personal information (presumably for Uber Tech drivers or prospective drivers). Uber Operations has been sent packages with phones and other personal items in them. Uber Operations has received financing applications (with personal information) for the “Uber Xchange” leasing program (as previously noted, Uber Operations has used the mark “UberXchange” for many years).
Uber Operations states it has also received government orders meant for the California firm as well as bad reviews on internet review sites.
The experience reminds me a bit of what happens when a firm doesn’t use a domain name that matches their firm name, or doesn’t use the .com (or logical country code).
