Today, Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. filed a complaint against former NFL quarterback Vincent Ferragamo (who led the LA Rams to Super Bowl XIV as a rookie in 1980) and his Ferragamo Winery near Los Angeles. While Salvatore Ferragamo does not currently license its name for wines, it had previously done so in the U.S. in the 1980s. Ferragamo (the Italian fashion brand) claims that Ferragamo (the winery) creates consumer confusion and violates Salvatore Ferragamo’s U.S. trademarks:
In addition to trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and trade dress claims under the Lanham Act, the complaint contains claims for cybersquatting in violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act and New York state law claims.
A judge has not yet been assigned in the case.