Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We may be involved from time to time, as a plaintiff or a defendant, in various routine legal proceedings incidental to the ordinary course of our business. In the ordinary course, we are involved in the policing of our intellectual property rights. As part of our policing program, from time to time we file lawsuits in the United States and abroad, alleging acts of trademark counterfeiting, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and ancillary and pendent state and foreign law claims. These actions often result in seizure of counterfeit merchandise and negotiated settlements with defendants. Defendants sometimes raise as affirmative defenses, or as counterclaims, the purported invalidity or unenforceability of our proprietary rights.
In August of 2019, Vesi Incorporated (“Vesi”) filed suit against the Company in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio related to the Company’s licensing business and alleging breach of fiduciary duty, unfair competition, defamation, and tortious interference with prospective business relationships. The complaint seeks damages in an amount not less than $ 10.0 million for punitive damages, attorney fees, prejudgment interest, and any other additional relief. The Company has denied any liability and intends to vigorously defend itself in the case. In November 2019, the Company filed a counterclaim against the principals of Vesi as personal guarantors for monies owed to the Company by Vesi. The Company filed a motion for summary judgement asking the Court to dismiss all claims with prejudice and grant judgment on its counterclaim. On January 4, 2023, the Court granted the Company’s motion for summary judgment dismissing Vesi’s claims and also granted judgment on the Company’s counterclaims against the principals of Vesi for an immaterial amount. Vesi has appealed this decision. At this time, we are not able to estimate a possible loss or range of loss that may result from this matter or to determine whether such loss, if any, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of
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operations due to the fact that the Company is vigorously defending itself and management believes that the Company has a number of meritorious legal defenses.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not Applicable
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PART II
Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.