Kodak Sues Card Firm Over Trademarks

Eastman Kodak Co. has sued All American Greeting Cards Inc. over advertisements it says infringe Kodak’s trademark. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Miami, says the ads, which seek to persuade people to set up card racks in stores, violate trademarks the company has held since 1909. The Rochester, N.Y.-based photography company markets its films in distinctive yellow-and-red packaging. Kodak contends All American Greeting Cards and its president, Sandra Rich, improperly used that trademark in advertisements seeking distributors for greeting card racks. Classified ads placed by the Miami-based company use phrases such as “Kodak Greeting Card route” and “All American/Kodak,” according to copies included in the suit. Rich said her company sent Kodak copies of all ads and brochures in advance. Although changes were made, advertising was bought ahead of time so it could not be changed immediately, she said. All American sells greeting card racks, cards and KodakMax single-use cameras to people who then set up displays in stores selling the items. Kodak shares were up 19 cents to $42.39 on the New York Stock Exchange. They have fallen 27% in the last year.