Fleetwood Ordered to Pay Coleman $5.2 Million
RV Business
Friday, December 17, 2004
A Kansas jury ruled in favor of The Coleman Co. in its case with Fleetwood Folding Trailers Inc., awarding the Wichita, Kans.-based firm monetary damages of $5.2 million.
Last month, Fleetwood was granted a permanent injunction against Coleman, barring the company from licensing the Coleman name in the RV industry. Fleetwood said the monetary ruling does not affect that decision.
The suits stemmed from a long-standing business relationship that was severed two years ago. Fleetwood had acquired the Coleman folding-camper trailer business and the right to use the Coleman brand name on RVs in 1989. In late 2002, Coleman raised several issues under Fleetwood
It appears that the "legal beagles" will be busy for the next few months/years. Looks like all three companies involved are suing each other.
In the legal industry, these kind of cases are affectionately referred to as "full employment for lawyers" disputes. It's a shame that lawyers often lose sight of the fact that they are hired to be objective, uninvolved facilitators of resolution. Instead, what happens is that they too become emotionally involved with their client's positions and end up failing to counsel their clients of the most expedient and cost-efficient compromise for all parties involved.
:yikes: I certainly sounds like the saga will continue...
Sounds like the name "Coleman" won't be on any new campers for quite awhile.
Quote from: VenaticSounds like the name "Coleman" won't be on any new campers for quite awhile.
...if ever. Because Coleman is blocked from putting their name on any other brand besides Fleetwood, because of the "permanent" injunction. The question here, is, "How permanent is permanent? Can a permanent injunction be reversed?"
Unless the injunction can be reversed, the only trailer Coleman can brand would be a Fleetwood trailer. The question here is, "Will Coleman and Fleetwood end their divorce and start courting again?"
Larry