HeroClix/Heroics Trademark Legal Update
WIZKIDS/NECA, LLC OBTAINS CONSENT PERMANENT INJUNCTION AGAINST TREE HOUSE KIDS, INC.
Hillside, NJ - August 30, 2012 - National Entertainment Collectibles Association Inc. (NECA) is pleased to announce the entry of a Consent Permanent Injunction in a trademark infringement lawsuit against Tree House Kids, Inc.
In the lawsuit, NECA's subsidiary WizKids/NECA, LLC (WizKids) alleges that use of the trademark HEROICS by Tree House Kids in connection with the sale of miniature super hero figures infringes WizKids' rights in its HEROCLIX trademark.
On August 8, 2012, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued the Consent Permanent Injunction against Tree House Kids, permanently prohibiting Tree House Kids from, among other things, making, using, distributing, selling, displaying, manufacturing, advertising or promoting, products, product packaging, or labeling that use, incorporate or display the trademarks HEROCLIX or HEROICS, or any other trademarks likely to cause confusion with the HEROCLIX trademark.
"We have invested substantial time and resources to build a world-class intellectual property portfolio that includes the HEROCLIX brand and its considerable goodwill. Protecting that brand is a top priority for us," says Justin Ziran, President of WizKids. "The lawsuit against Tree House Kids is part of ongoing and comprehensive efforts of NECA and its subsidiaries to aggressively enforce our intellectual property rights. We will continue to take action to protect against intellectual property infringements and counterfeiting," adds Alexis Mueller, head of Business and Legal Affairs for NECA and its subsidiaries.
The lawsuit, in which WizKids seeks damages, including profits and attorneys fees, arising from Tree House's alleged infringement of the HEROCLIX trademark, is ongoing. Meanwhile, NECA is committed to identifying and pursuing other infringing activity.
About NECA
National Entertainment Collectibles Association Inc. is a media and entertainment company operating in the United States and internationally, with three segments: Consumer Products, Filmed Entertainment and Online Retailing/Digital Distribution. NECA is the leading designer, marketer, and worldwide distributor of licensed entertainment consumer goods based on some of the world's most established and beloved properties, providing products across all consumer categories.
About Wizkids and HeroClix
WizKids/NECA, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NECA, is a New Jersey-based game developer and publisher dedicated to creating games driven by imagination. The HeroClix brand is the most successful collectible miniatures games on the market today, with over 400 million miniature game figures sold worldwide. For additional information, visit http://www.wizkidsgames.com.