FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Bethesda, MD) — On January 19, 2017, a federal jury in Maryland returned a verdict in favor of Mezeh Mediterranean Grill on trademark infringement and unfair competition claims brought by one of its larger competitors. The lawsuit, brought by Cava Group, Inc., claimed that Mezeh’s logo unfairly infringed on one of Cava’s registered trademarks.
The jury deliberated for less than ninety minutes before returning a unanimous verdict in favor of Mezeh on all claims. The court had previously thrown out claims that Mezeh copied the design and layout of Cava’s stores.
Mezeh is a Virginia-based chain of fast casual restaurants serving Mediterranean-inspired food made with fresh, all-natural ingredients. Mezeh currently has six locations in Maryland and Virginia.
Mezeh had been represented by Sean Morris and the Morris Law Firm, LLC, of Bethesda, Maryland, since the lawsuit’s filing in early 2014, and Morris was the restaurant’s counsel through the three-day trial. “We are very grateful the jury listened closely to the case, and found in favor of Mezeh,” Morris said. “There is no question that this was the correct result, but it was also hard-earned.”
The Morris Law Firm also serves as outside general counsel to Mezeh, a role on which it now intends to focus. “Now that it this trial is behind us, we can turn our focus back to helping Mezeh grow. Mezeh is a great brand, and we look forward to being part of their next chapter.”
The case is Cava Group Inc. v. Mezeh-Annapolis, LLC, et al., 8:14-cv-355.
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