Raising Cane's v. Twins Chicken - One Love Chicken Trademark PDF

Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 1 of 11
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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE
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RAISING CANES USA, LLC, a Louisiana

limited liability company and RAISING
CANES RESTAURANTS, LLC dba
RAISING CANES CHICKEN FINGERS, a
Louisiana limited liability company,
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No. 2:15-cv-01298
COMPLAINT FOR TRADE DRESS
AND TRADEMARK
INFRINGEMENT
Plaintiffs,
JURY DEMAND
v.
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TWINS CHICKEN LLC., a Washington limited

liability company and TWINS CHICKEN INC.,
Nevada corporation,
Defendants.
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Plaintiffs Raising Canes USA, LLC and Raising Canes Restaurants, LLC dba Raising
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Canes Chicken (collectively, Raising Canes or Plaintiffs), by and through their
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undersigned counsel, respectfully make the following allegations for their Complaint against
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Defendants Twins Chicken LLC and Twins Chicken Inc. (collectively, Defendants). These
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allegations are made upon knowledge with respect to Raising Canes own acts, and upon
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information and belief as to all other matters.
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INTRODUCTION
1.
For nearly 20 years, Raising Canes has been committed to serving the highest
quality chicken finger meals quickly, in a friendly, clean restaurant environment. Raising
COMPLAINT - 1
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Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

L AW O F FI CE S
1201 Third Avenue, Suite 2200
Seattle, WA 98101-3045
206.622.3150 main 206.757.7700 fax
Canes prides itself on creating a fun atmosphere for customers and employees (its Crew)
alike. From Raising Canes first restaurantbuilt out of an old bakery in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, near Louisiana State Universitythe company has grown to 226 restaurants that
reflect its founding vision: offer a limited menu of quality chicken finger meals, a great Crew,
and a cool culture. Raising Canes menu and advertising prominently feature ONE LOVE
quality chicken finger meals that are Always Fresh. Never Frozen. Ex. A.
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Defendants operate the Twins Chicken restaurant at Westfield Southcenter mall
in Tukwila, Washington. Rather than undertake the effort to develop their own distinctive
identity, Defendants have simply copied Raising Canes trade dress, duplicating it in many
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material respects. Defendants logo is confusingly similar to Raising Canes, as are
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Defendants restaurants ubiquitous, bright-red color motif, the cups and wrappers they use,
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their employees uniforms, and their menus and restaurant architecture. Moreover, Defendants
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remind consumers that they have copied Raising Canes trade dress by making statements that
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bring to mind Raising Canes slogans that it has registered as trademarks. Raising Canes uses
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the registered slogan ONE LOVE, and Defendants evoke it by saying, TENDER LOVE.
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Raising Canes uses the registered slogan Always Fresh. Never Frozen., and Defendants try
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to evoke that by boasting that their meals are fresh, never frozen. Even though Twins
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Chicken has only recently opened, consumers have already expressed confusion concerning
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Twins Chickens relation to Raising Canes. As one consumer noted on Twins Chickens
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Facebook page, So it seems as thought [sic] this is a version of Raising Canes? I hope so!
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Ex. B. As another consumer aptly declared on Twitter: Hey@Raising_Canes theres an
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imposter coming to Seattle! Ex. C. Raising Canes submits the following Complaint to stop
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its would-be imposter from continuing to profit off Raising Canes trade dressand the
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goodwill and quality it signalsthat Raising Canes has worked hard to develop across the
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country.
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COMPLAINT - 2
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L AW O F FI CE S
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PARTIES
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3.
Raising Canes USA, LLC is a Louisiana limited liability company, with its
principal place of business in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Raising Canes USA, LLC owns the
trademarks and trade dress rights used in connection with Raising Canes goods and services,
which Raising Canes Restaurants, LLC and its franchisees use in the operation of Raising
Canes restaurants.
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Raising Canes Restaurants, LLC is a Louisiana limited liability company doing
business as Raising Canes Chicken Fingers, with its principal place of business in Baton
Rouge, Louisiana.
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Twins Chicken LLC is a Washington limited liability corporation with its
principal place of business in Tukwila, Washington.

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Twins Chicken Inc. is a Nevada corporation with its principal place of business
in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is the sole member of Twins Chicken LLC.
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JURISDICTION AND VENUE
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7.
This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 15 U.S.C.
1121(a) and 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a), because it arises under the acts of Congress
relating to trademarks and trade dress; and pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1332, because this action is
between citizens of different states and the matter in controversy exceeds the sum or value of
$75,000, exclusive of interest and costs. The court also has supplemental jurisdiction over the
state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1338(b) and 1367.
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Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction in this Court because they do
business and have infringed Raising Canes trademarks and trade dress in this judicial district.
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Venue is proper in this judicial district under 28 U.S.C. 1391.
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PLAINTIFFS TRADE DRESS RIGHTS
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10.
Raising Canes provides fresh, high-quality chicken finger meals in 228
restaurants in 17 states nationwide. Consistent with its ONE LOVE philosophy, Raising
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COMPLAINT - 3
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L AW O F FI CE S
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Canes limits its menu to a few items, serving only high quality chicken fingers, sauce, French
fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and drinks.
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Since 1996, Raising Canes has developed and used a trade dress (the Raising
Canes Trade Dress) that is both distinctive and unique. The Raising Canes Trade Dress
prominently features a bright red motif throughout its restaurants, including in its logo, and on
its drink cups, menu, signage, crew uniforms, and food wrappers.
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The Raising Canes Trade Dress also features a prominent oval logo, with the
word Raising in smaller yellow font at the top of the logo. Below that is the word Canes
in large looping white font with a black border, set against a red background. The letter C in
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Canes is capitalized and spans the entire logo. The words Chicken Fingers appear below
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Canes in smaller, all-capital, block font. The Raising Canes logo is reproduced below:
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13.
Raising Canes owns U.S. Trademark Registration No. 4,494,192, for the logo
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reproduced above, for the following goods and services: chicken tenderloins, crinkle cut
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french-fried potatoes, creamy coleslaw; prepared meals consisting primarily of a chicken entre
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and a drink, sauces, honey mustard dressing, thick buttered toasted bread, sweet and
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unsweetened iced tea, lemonade, and restaurant services. A copy of the registration certificate
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is attached as Exhibit D.
COMPLAINT - 4
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L AW O F FI CE S
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14.
Raising Canes also prominently features its slogans ONE LOVE and
ALWAYS FRESH. NEVER FROZEN., throughout the Raising Canes Trade Dress.
Raising Canes owns U.S. Trademark Registration Nos. 3,033,511 and 3,769,684 for these two
marks. Copies of the registration certificates are attached as Exhibits E and F.
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Raising Canes has consistently and strongly promoted the Raising Canes brand
and trade dress through Internet, television, and print advertisements in the 19 states in which it
has restaurants.
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Raising Canes has invested significant time, energy and resources to develop a
strong, well-known reputation in the food industry, choosing to focus on a neglected subset of
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the marketoffering chicken tender meals onlyin order to stand out from the crowd.
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Raising Canes has developed a loyal customer base throughout the U.S. that recognizes the
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Raising Canes Trade Dress as indicators of the source of Raising Canes high quality chicken
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finger meals. As a result, the Raising Canes Trade Dress has become, through widespread and
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favorable public acceptance and recognition, well-known assets of substantial and incalculable
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value symbolizing Raising Canes, its quality meals, and its goodwill.
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The Raising Canes Trade Dress is a source identifier in the restaurant industry,
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identifying Raising Canes to the public as the source of Raising Canes chicken finger meals.
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The Raising Canes Trade Dress is inherently distinctive and highly recognized by the
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consuming public as an indicator of the source of Raising Canes products. Alternatively, the
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Raising Canes Trade Dress has acquired distinctiveness through widespread, continuous use in
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commerce over many years, and is highly recognizable by the consuming public as a well-
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known indicator of the source of Raising Canes products.
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The Raising Canes Trade Dress is not functional.
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DEFENDANTS INFRINGING CONDUCT

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Defendants own and operate the Twins Chicken restaurant at Westfield
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Southcenter mall in Tukwila, Washington. In June 2015, long after Raising Canes had
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established rights in the Raising Canes Trade Dress, Defendants opened their first and only
COMPLAINT - 5
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L AW O F FI CE S
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Twins Chicken restaurant. The menu at Twins Chicken is nearly identical to the Raising
Canes menu, limited to chicken tenders, sauce, French fries, coleslaw, and a roll.
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Twins Chicken uses trade dress features in its storefront and packaging (Twins
Chicken Trade Dress) that are confusingly similar to the Raising Canes Trade Dress. This
infringing Twins Chicken Trade Dress includes an oval logo in a bright red shade identical to
the Raising Canes Trade Dresswith Twins in looping, white font with a black border and
extra-large T. The logo has three yellow ovals above Twins, like Raising Canes logo has
the word, Raising, in yellow font above Canes. Below Twins are the words CHICKEN
TENDERS in the same font and all-caps case that Raising Canes uses for the words CHICKEN
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FINGERS that appear in the same position in its logo. The Twins Chicken logo is reproduced
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below:
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The Twins Chicken logo is featured prominently throughout Twins Chicken
product packaging, its uniforms, and its restaurant.

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Twins Chickens restaurant has a confusingly similar appearance to Raising
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Canes restaurants because of its use of a bright red color throughout the restaurantthe walls,
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fixtures, employee uniforms, signs, menu, and packaging for its menu items. Twins Chicken
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also uses a confusingly similar menu, menu board and menu design that evoke those of Raising
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Canes. Ex. G
COMPLAINT - 6
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L AW O F FI CE S
206.622.3150 main 206.757.7700 fax
23.
Moreover, Raising Canes uses the registered slogan, ALWAYS FRESH.
NEVER FROZEN., and Defendants evoke it by using the phrase, fresh, never frozen.
Ex. H. Similarly, Raising Canes uses the registered slogan, ONE LOVE, and Defendants
evoke it by using the phrase, TENDER LOVE. Ex. I.

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Defendants have adopted the Twins Chicken Trade Dress that forms the basis of
the infringing acts complained of herein, with knowledge of Raising Canes trademark and
trade dress rights. There are eight Raising Canes restaurants in the Las Vegas area, where
Defendant Twins Chicken, Inc. has its corporate office, with the closest one just 1.6 miles away
from that office.

DEFENDANTS ACTIONS ARE LIKELY TO CONFUSE CONSUMERS
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Defendants confusingly similar trade dress is likely to confuse consumers.
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Indeed, it already has. On Twins Chickens Facebook page, a consumer wrote, So it seems as
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thought [sic] this is a version of Raising Canes? I hope so! Ex. B. On Twitter, a consumer
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alerted Raising Canes that Twins Chicken had copied Raising Canes: Hey @Raising_Canes
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theres an imposter coming to Seattle! Ex. C. On Yelp, a consumer said that Twins
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[Chicken] is ALMOST a perfect match of Raising Canes. Ex. I. And another consumer
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asked Twins Chicken on Twitter if it was related to Raising Canes: @TwinsChicken are
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yall related to @Raising_Canes? Ex. J.

COUNT 1: TRADE DRESS INFRINGEMENT
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Plaintiffs incorporate the allegations of Paragraphs 1-25 as if fully set forth
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Defendants sale of chicken tenders meals and providing restaurant services in
herein.
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the Twins Chicken Trade Dress, as alleged above, is likely to cause confusion, mistake and/or
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deception among the relevant public, including consumers, as to the origin, sponsorship, or
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approval of Defendants goods and services with respect to Raising Canes, and to mislead the
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public into thinking that Raising Canes is the origin of, or has sponsored or approved,
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COMPLAINT - 7
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Defendants goods and services. Defendants actions irreparably harm the value of Raising
Canes Trade Dress and injure Raising Canes reputation and goodwill.
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Defendants actions therefore are likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake or
to deceive consumers as to the origin, sponsorship or approval of Defendants goods and
services in violation of Section 43(a)(1)(A) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(1)(A) .

29.
Defendants have created, adopted, and used in interstate commerce the
confusingly similar Twins Chicken Trade Dress with full knowledge of Plaintiffs right in the
Raising Canes Trade Dress. The sale and promotion of chicken finger meals in the Twins
Chicken Trade Dress has been done in bad faith and with a willful and deliberate intent to pass
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off its meals as those of Plaintiffs and to trade on the significant goodwill developed in the
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Raising Canes Trade Dress. This willful infringement makes this an exceptional case within
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the meaning of 15 U.S.C. 1117(a).

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Unless restrained by the Court, Defendants will continue to engage in their
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scheme to violate the longstanding rights of Raising Canes, to mislead the public, and to trade
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upon and injure Raising Canes reputation and goodwill. Defendants infringement has
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damaged Raising Canes, has resulted in unjust enrichment to Defendants, and has caused and
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will continue to cause, unless enjoined by the Court, substantial and irreparable injury to
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Raising Canes and the public, for which damage and injury Raising Canes has no adequate
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remedy at law.
COUNT 2: TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT
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The Twins Chicken logo depicted in Paragraph 20 above is a colorable imitation
herein.
of Raising Canes federally-registered logo depicted in Paragraph 12 above.

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Defendants actions are likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake or to deceive
consumers as to the origin, sponsorship or approval of Defendants goods and services in
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COMPLAINT - 8
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violation of Sections 32(1) and 43(a)(1)(A) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114(a) and
1125(a)(1)(A).
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Defendants have created, adopted, and used in interstate commerce the
confusingly similar Twins Chicken logo with full knowledge of Plaintiffs right in the Raising
Canes logo. The sale and promotion of chicken finger meals in connection with the Twins
Chicken Logo has been done in bad faith and with a willful and deliberate intent to pass off its
meals as those of Plaintiffs and to trade on the significant goodwill developed in the Raising
Canes logo. This willful infringement makes this an exceptional case within the meaning of
15 U.S.C. 1117(a).
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Unless restrained by the Court, Defendants will continue to engage in their
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scheme to violate the longstanding rights of Raising Canes, to mislead the public, and to trade
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upon and injure Raising Canes reputation and goodwill. Defendants infringement has
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damaged Raising Canes, has resulted in unjust enrichment to Defendants, and has caused and
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will continue to cause, unless enjoined by the Court, substantial and irreparable injury to
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Raising Canes and the public, for which damage and injury Raising Canes has no adequate
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remedy at law.
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COUNT 3: TRADE DRESS INFRINGEMENT
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UNDER WASHINGTON COMMON LAW
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The actions of Defendants described herein constitute a violation of Plaintiffs
trade dress rights under Washington common law.

COUNT 4: VIOLATION OF WASHINGTON CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT/
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herein.
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The actions of Defendants described herein affect and are injurious to the public
herein.
interest, and constitute unfair and deceptive acts or practices and unfair methods of competition
COMPLAINT - 9
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in the conduct of trade or commerce in violation of RCW 19.86.020 that have harmed Plaintiffs
in their business and property. Plaintiffs are entitled to recover damages, treble damages, and
attorneys fees pursuant to RCW 19.86.090.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs pray for the following relief:
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A judgment ordering Defendants and their servants, agents, employees, related
companies, successors and assigns, and all persons acting in concert with Defendants or any of
them, to be preliminarily and permanently enjoined from: using the Raising Canes Trade Dress
and other marks, or any colorable imitation thereof, as a trademark, service mark, trade name or
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otherwise, including but not limited to any name or mark confusingly similar to or likely to
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cause confusion with the Raising Canes Trade Dress and other marks; representing by any
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means whatsoever, directly or indirectly, that Defendants or any goods or services offered by
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Defendants, are associated in any way with Plaintiffs or their goods or services, and from
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otherwise taking any other action likely to cause confusion, mistake or deception on the part of
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purchasers or consumers; and doing any other acts or things calculated or likely to cause
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confusion or mistake in the mind of the public or to lead purchasers or consumers into
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believing that Defendants goods or services come from or are the goods or services of
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Plaintiffs, or are somehow sponsored or underwritten by, or affiliated with, Plaintiffs, and from
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otherwise unfairly competing with Plaintiffs or misappropriating that which rightfully belongs
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to Plaintiffs.
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A judgment requiring Defendants to deliver to Plaintiffs for destruction all
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goods, signs, advertisements, literature, business forms, cards, labels, packages, wrappers,
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pamphlets, brochures, receptacles, and any other written or printed material in their possession
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or under their control which contain, encompass or depict the Raising Canes Trade Dress or
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other marks, or any colorable imitations thereof or any trade dress confusingly similar thereto;
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A judgment ordering Defendants to file with this Court and to serve on Plaintiffs
within thirty days after the service of the injunction a report in writing under oath, setting forth
COMPLAINT - 10
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in detail the manner and form in which Defendants have complied with the foregoing
injunction.
4.
A judgment ordering that Plaintiffs recover Defendants profits; and Plaintiffs
damages, which amount may be trebled by the Court, pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1117(a) and the
Washington Consumer Protection Act, RCW 19.86.090.
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A judgment ordering Defendants to pay Plaintiffs all their reasonable taxable
costs, disbursements and attorneys fees in a sum and manner deemed appropriate by this Court
based on the deliberate and willful acts of Defendants pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1117(a) and
based on Defendants violation of the Washington Consumer Protection Act; and
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Such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper.
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JURY DEMAND
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Plaintiffs demand a trial by jury of all issues so triable.
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DATED this 14th day of August, 2015.
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DAVIS WRIGHT TREMAINE LLP

Attorneys for Plaintiffs Raising Canes USA, LLC
and Raising Canes Restaurants, LLC
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By s/Stuart R. Dunwoody
Stuart R. Dunwoody, WSBA #13948
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By s/Conner G. Peretti__________________
Conner G. Peretti, WSBA #46575
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Tel: (206) 622-3150
Fax: (206) 757-7700
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
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COMPLAINT - 11
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Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 1 of 11

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

RAISING CANES USA, LLC, a Louisiana

TWINS CHICKEN LLC., a Washington limited

Canes Chicken (collectively, Raising Canes or Plaintiffs), by and through their

information and belief as to all other matters.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 2 of 11

Defendants operate the Twins Chicken restaurant at Westfield Southcenter mall

material respects. Defendants logo is confusingly similar to Raising Canes, as are

Ex. B. As another consumer aptly declared on Twitter: Hey@Raising_Canes theres an

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 3 of 11

Raising Canes Restaurants, LLC is a Louisiana limited liability company doing

Twins Chicken LLC is a Washington limited liability corporation with its

principal place of business in Tukwila, Washington.

Defendants are subject to personal jurisdiction in this Court because they do

Venue is proper in this judicial district under 28 U.S.C. 1391.

Raising Canes provides fresh, high-quality chicken finger meals in 228

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 4 of 11

fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and drinks.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 5 of 11

marks. Copies of the registration certificates are attached as Exhibits E and F.

known indicator of the source of Raising Canes products.

The Raising Canes Trade Dress is not functional.

DEFENDANTS INFRINGING CONDUCT

Defendants own and operate the Twins Chicken restaurant at Westfield

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 6 of 11

The Twins Chicken logo is featured prominently throughout Twins Chicken

product packaging, its uniforms, and its restaurant.

Twins Chickens restaurant has a confusingly similar appearance to Raising

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 7 of 11

Moreover, Raising Canes uses the registered slogan, ALWAYS FRESH.

evoke it by using the phrase, TENDER LOVE. Ex. I.

from that office.

Defendants confusingly similar trade dress is likely to confuse consumers.

yall related to @Raising_Canes? Ex. J.

Plaintiffs incorporate the allegations of Paragraphs 1-25 as if fully set forth

Defendants sale of chicken tenders meals and providing restaurant services in

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Case 2:15-cv-01298 Document 1 Filed 08/14/15 Page 8 of 11

Defendants actions therefore are likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake or

to deceive consumers as to the origin, sponsorship or approval of Defendants goods and

services in violation of Section 43(a)(1)(A) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1125(a)(1)(A) .

Defendants have created, adopted, and used in interstate commerce the

the meaning of 15 U.S.C. 1117(a).

Unless restrained by the Court, Defendants will continue to engage in their

Plaintiffs incorporate the allegations of Paragraphs 1-30 as if fully set forth

The Twins Chicken logo depicted in Paragraph 20 above is a colorable imitation

of Raising Canes federally-registered logo depicted in Paragraph 12 above.

Defendants actions are likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake or to deceive