Johnson & Johnson yesterday sued the American Red Cross over a festering trademark dispute.
The two entities have amicably shared the familiar symbol of a red cross--Johnson & Johnson
on its commercial products and the American Red Cross as a symbol of its relief efforts--for more than 100 years. In 2004, however, the American Red Cross began licensing the symbol to commercial
partners selling products at retail establishments. According to the lawsuit, those products include humidifiers, medical examination gloves, nail clippers, combs and toothbrushes.
The president of the American Red Cross, Mark W. Everson, says in a news release that J&J's actions are "obscene" and "simply so that J.& J. can make more money." Jeffrey J. Leebaw, a spokesman for
J&J, says the company only objects to the Red Cross' "push to commercialize this trademark in the for-profit arena." J&J has contributed more than $5 million to the American Red Cross in the last
three years, he adds.
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