451 F.Supp.3d 910
S.D. Ill.2020Background
- Eagle Forum (EF) is a 501(c)(4) founded by Phyllis Schlafly; Schlafly also created related entities (Eagle Trust Fund, Eagle Forum Education and Legal Defense Fund).
- In 2016 a board dispute at EF culminated in leadership changes; a separate 501(c)(4) (Citizen Empowerment League) changed its name to Phyllis Schlafly’s American Eagles (PSAE) and included Schlafly and other former EF leaders.
- EF alleges PSAE solicited EF donors and supporters using EF assets and Schlafly-related branding, registered two PSAE domain names, and otherwise used names/phrases EF claims as its marks.
- EF sued asserting state-law conversion and federal/state claims for trademark/service mark infringement, unfair competition, dilution, and cybersquatting; PSAE moved for summary judgment.
- The district court granted summary judgment for PSAE in full, dismissing the action with prejudice and denying as moot PSAE’s related contempt motion.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion (Illinois law) | EF contends PSAE converted EF money, IP, mailing lists, property, and P.O. Box | PSAE: EF lacks absolute ownership; money/general debts not convertible; intangible property and PO box not subjects of conversion | Court: Grant SJ for PSAE—conversion claim fails as a matter of law (no absolute right; many items non-convertible) |
| Trademark infringement / unfair competition (15 U.S.C. §1114, §1125(a), state law) | EF: PSAE used “EAGLE FORUM” and related phrases in commerce causing consumer confusion | PSAE: Marks not similar; “Eagle” widely used among Schlafly entities; EF failed to show protectable mark or likelihood of confusion | Court: Grant SJ for PSAE—no genuine issue of likelihood of confusion; claims fail |
| Dilution (§1125(c) and Illinois statute) | EF: PSAE’s use dilutes the distinctiveness of EAGLE FORUM | PSAE: Mark is not famous/distinctive; many interrelated Schlafly uses; noncommercial-speech exception applies | Court: Grant SJ for PSAE—dilution claim fails for lack of fame/distinctiveness (and noncommercial concerns) |
| Cybersquatting (ACPA, §1125(d)) | EF: PSAE registered domains confusingly similar to EF’s domain in bad faith | PSAE: Domains are variations of its own name (psamericaneagles.*), not confusing with eagleforum.org | Court: Grant SJ for PSAE—domains not confusingly similar; cybersquatting claim fails |
Key Cases Cited
- Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317 (U.S. 1986) (summary judgment burden-shifting principle)
- Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242 (U.S. 1986) (standard for genuine dispute and inference-drawing at summary judgment)
- Lujan v. National Wildlife Federation, 497 U.S. 871 (U.S. 1990) (nonmoving party must present specific facts to defeat summary judgment)
- AutoZone, Inc. v. Strick, 543 F.3d 923 (7th Cir. 2008) (multifactor test for likelihood of confusion)
- Moseley v. Victoria’s Secret Catalogue, 537 U.S. 418 (U.S. 2003) (context for dilution and noncommercial-use considerations)
- KP Permanent Make-Up, Inc. v. Lasting Impression I, Inc., 543 U.S. 111 (U.S. 2004) (plaintiff’s burden on confusion)
- Horbach v. Kaczmarek, 288 F.3d 969 (7th Cir. 2002) (elements of conversion under Illinois law)
- Eli Lilly & Co. v. Natural Answers, Inc., 233 F.3d 456 (7th Cir. 2000) (application of dilution doctrine)
- Radiance Foundation, Inc. v. N.A.A.C.P., 786 F.3d 316 (4th Cir. 2015) (Lanham Act issues where noncommercial/political speech is implicated)
- Bosley Medical Institute, Inc. v. Kremer, 403 F.3d 672 (9th Cir. 2005) (elements of an ACPA cybersquatting claim)