‘Swamp People’ star files suit
LAFAYETTE — Troy Landry from The History Channel’s “Swamp People” has accused three companies of profiting from his trademark-protected catch-phrases, according to a federal lawsuit filed in Lafayette this week.
The lawsuit accuses Halpern Import Co., National Cap and Sportswear, and Ripple Junction Design Co., of using Landry’s trademarks Choot Em, Tree Shaka, Tree Breaka and Mudda Fricka on T-shirts, caps and display items for their goods.
The suit says Landry uses the trademarks on T-shirts, caps, sweatshirts, hoodies and other merchandise sold under the company name Troy Landry Productions, based in Pierre Part.
A search on the website trademarkia.com shows Landry also owns the trademark for his name, Got Gator? and Choot Dat.
The suit accuses all three companies of soliciting business, executing contracts, licenses and selling infringing goods in stores located within the boundaries of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, which covers the Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria, Lafayette and Lake Charles areas.
The suit says a representative of National Cap and/or Halpern is believed to be doing business with Church Point Wholesale, although the business is not named as a party in the suit.
The marks used by the defendants are strikingly similar to and in some cases literal verbatim copies of the Landry trademarks, the suit says, later adding that the defendants’ use of the trademarks is a willful and wanton attempt by them to obtain the benefit of the goodwill and reputation that Landry established.
A call seeking comment from National Cap and Sportswear was answered by Jay Halpern, who identified himself as president of Halpern Import Co. Halpern said National Cap and Sportswear is one of Halpern’s distributors.
Halpern said he could not comment on pending litigation.
Calls to Ripple Junction Design Company and Church Point Wholesale were not returned Thursday.
The suit is asking the defendants to pay Landry all gains, profits and advantages derived by the sell of those alleged items, punitive damages and Landry’s attorney’s fees.
All nine of Landry’s trademarks were filed in 2010, according to the site.
“Swamp People” follows a group of hunters through the 30-day alligator hunting season in the Atchafalaya Swamp.
According to the show’s website, “Swamp People” is a uniquely American story of a proud and skillful people fighting to maintain an ancient way of life in a rapidly modernizing world, despite the many perils and trials that stand in their way.