On Friday, August 12, Foley & Lardner LLP, on behalf of the Brooklyn Comedy Collective (BCC) – a well-known comedy theater in Brooklyn, New York – filed a trademark infringement suit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against competitor “Old Man Hustle” for changing its name to “BKLYN Comedy Club.” The lawsuit asserts that Old Man Hustle intentionally rebranded as BKLYN Comedy Club to benefit from BCC’s success and reputation.
BCC is asking the court for relief against BKLYN Comedy Club for trademark infringement under federal and state trademark laws, false designation of origin, common law trademark infringement and unfair competition. BCC is also seeking a court order to enjoin Old Man Hustle from using BKLYN Comedy Club as the name of its venue and in connection with advertising and promotion of its comedy shows.
In November 2021, BCC obtained a New York State trademark registration for the mark BCC BROOKLYN COMEDY COLLECTIVE, claiming a date of first use of February 5, 2018. BCC and Old Man Hustle’s venues were within walking distance from each other. The complaint alleges that given the proximity of the two clubs and the popularity of BCC’s shows and classes, it is unlikely that Old Man Hustle did not know about BCC when it rebranded in March 2021 from Old Man Hustle to BKLN Comedy Club.
The Foley team representing BCC is led by Partner Robert Weisbein and Associate Arian Jabbary.
