Report: Fan Expo Canada Launches Suit Againt Zuffa LLC

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

By FCF Staff

The UFC’s first venture into Toronto, Ontario may not go off without a hitch after all, as a report from Canada News Wire today, has revealed that the organizers of the Fan Expo Canada event have launched a lawsuit against Zuffa LLC and Reed Exhibitions Limited for trademark infringement.

According to the report, Hobby Star Marketing is claiming that Zuffa’s use of “UFC Fan Expo”, is “confusingly similar” to the registered trademark “Fan Expo Canada”, a name which is used by the sci-fi, comic book and gaming event. Hobby Star Marketing is seeking an “immediate injunction” to prevent Zuffa from using the name “UFC Fan Expo” and the slogan “Ultimate Fan Experience” in Canada.

UFC Fan Expo is an event promoted by Zuffa LLC and organized by Reed Exhibitions Limited, which includes autograph sessions, training seminar and other activities featuring competitors and personalities from the UFC. The latest UFC Fan Expo is coinciding with UFC 129 in Toronto, and will take place on April 29th and 30th.

The UFC has not offered any official comment on the lawsuit.