Portland-based non-profit coalition, The Green Building Initiative (GBI), filed a complaint for trademark infringement based on Registration Nos. 3,549,714 and 3,549,715 and related claims against California company, Green Globe International (GGI). The Portland plaintiff certifies environmentally friendly business practices under its “Green Globes” program and alleges that the California defendant has illegally used the trademarked name to operate a certification system for environmentally friendly building design. Plaintiff claims to have launched its program in 2004. Defendant’s website claims to have launched its program in 1994 during the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Article here.
USPTO records show several trademarks for GREEN GLOBE(R) and GREEN GLOBES(R) registered to other owners for other goods and services, including food products and environmental services such as ecological restoration.
Cleantech Litigation Report 