P&G sues Vi-Jon for trademark infringement

Published: 1-Nov-2016

US company is accused of copying Head & Shoulders with its store brand anti-dandruff shampoo

P&G has sued private label personal care company Vi-Jon for trademark infringement.

The US company is accused of mimicking the shape, colours and label of P&G brand Head & Shoulders, with its Vi-Jon store brand anti-dandruff shampoo.

The shampoo in question is sold via major retail outlets throughout the US including Dollar General, CVS and Kroger.

Deborah Majoras, Chief Legal Officer of P&G, said: “We invest heavily in all aspects of our product, and its appearance has become inextricably linked with what we stand for to our consumers.

“When a competitor makes products that come too close to our legally protected trademarks and trade dress, it’s unfair to consumers, and to our employees and shareholders, and we will challenge those violations.”

Vi-Jon is headquartered in St Louis, and operates five manufacturing and distribution centres across Missouri and Tennessee. The lawsuit was filed in the US District Court for Middle District of Tennessee.

Vi-Jon has been sued before by P&G multiple times. Back in 2011, Vi-Jon was accused of breaching trademark on P&G’s mouthwash products.

Meanwhile, back in 2006, P&G clashed with Vi-Jon over a different mouthwash product, which P&G said was too similar to its Crest Pro-Health oral rinse.

In that case, Vi-Jon agreed to withdraw its product from the market and not to use similar bottle designs. It also paiddamages to P&G as part of the settlement agreement.

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