Court decision sends clear message to all unauthorized vendors

Herndon, Va.; June 10, 2020 - PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, won a lawsuit against Data Marketers Inc. doing business as LogiChannel for trademark infringement, false association advertising and unfair competition. LogiChannel was falsely positioning itself using the PACK EXPO logo and attempting to sell fake attendee lists.

PMMI filed a complaint against LogiChannel in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia after discovering that the data and marketing services company had used the PACK EXPO logo without permission and otherwise misrepresented itself. LogiChannel misleadingly claimed to have a false PACK EXPO attendee list for sale.

Eastern District of Virginia Court, U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis, III marked a clear victory for PACK EXPO and all trade show organizers, by signing an order on Feb. 25 requiring Data Marketers, Inc. to permanently refrain from advertising, offering or selling any goods or services infringing upon all PACK EXPO logo designs and trademarks. The defendant was also ordered to pay damages and attorney's fees.

"This order represents a victory for associations and other trade show organizers that find themselves victims of trademark infringement and unauthorized vendors attempting to sell fake lists and other services," says Laura Thompson, vice president, trade shows, PMMI. "Trade show exhibitors have a right to know the relationship between a company and the event producer when doing business. The circumstances are a sad commentary on the state of the ethics and conduct of some individuals and businesses."

PMMI's President & CEO Jim Pittas commented: "This is a win not only for PMMI and the PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows but for all trade show organizers," he says. "This latest court order sends a signal to all unauthorized vendors attempting to pass themselves off as legitimate trade show organizers and deceive exhibitors and other suppliers. The trade show community will not tolerate improprieties in this area."

PMMI continues to spend time educating exhibitors about companies falsely representing themselves as official suppliers to PACK EXPO. When in doubt, contact PMMI to confirm the legitimacy of any potential vendor.



About PMMI
PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, represents more than 900 North American manufacturers and suppliers of equipment, components and materials as well as providers of related equipment and services to the packaging and processing industry. We work to advance a variety of industries by connecting consumer goods companies with manufacturing solutions through the world-class PACK EXPO portfolio of trade shows, leading trade media and a wide range of resources to empower our members. The PACK EXPO trade shows unite the world of packaging and processing to advance the industries they serve: PACK EXPO International, PACK EXPO Las Vegas, Healthcare Packaging EXPO, PACK EXPO East, EXPO PACK México, EXPO PACK Guadalajara and ProFood Tech. PMMI Media Group connects manufacturers to the latest solutions, trends and innovations in packaging and processing year-round through brands including Packaging World, Automation World, Healthcare Packaging, Contract Packaging, ProFood World, Mundo PMMI and OEM. PMMI Business Drivers assist members in pursuing operational excellence through workforce development initiatives, deliver actionable business intelligence on economic, market and industry trends to support members' growth strategies and actively connect the supply chain throughout the year.

Learn more at pmmi.org and packexpo.com and pmmimediagroup.com.