Monday, 15 October 2012 16:18

AASP/NJ Tradeshow Lawsuit Dismissed

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A lawsuit against the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) was recently dismissed by a U.S. District Judge.

U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas dismissed several complaints made by Rockland Exposition Inc. in a lawsuit filed against Thomas Greco Publishing, AASP/NJ and the organization’s board members Tom Elder, Thomas Greco and Glenn Villacari.

AASP/NJ said REI filed a lawsuit in 2008 after the association chose not to renew its management contract with REI, and instead move the AASP/NJ NORTHEAST trade show back to New Jersey.

REI’s lawsuit claimed that AASP/NJ and the other cited defendants infringed on its rights of the “NORTHEAST” trademark. In addition, REI’s lawsuit made claims of false and deceptive advertising, trade libel and disparagement, tortious interference with prospective business advantage, and tortious interference with contract.

AASP/NJ said REI was seeking injunctive relief and damages for trademark infringement, dilution and unfair competition under New York law. After four years of litigation, AASP/NJ said Judge Karas dismissed each of REI’s claims with an 87-page opinion.

“We are extremely happy that this is over. It has been a long, painful experience that has taken its toll on many of the dedicated volunteers who serve our association, and we are proud that we took a stand to make sure justice was served,” said Jeff McDowell, president of AASP/NJ.

“There are many people to thank, especially board members Brian Vesley and Joe Amato. Brian has spent countless hours of his own time making sure that AASP/NJ’s interests were being looked after from day one. Joe went way beyond the call of duty to make sure we were protected from an insurance standpoint. I don’t know where we’d be without those two individuals. Our association and our industry are indebted to them.”

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DELAWARE

AASP-Pennsylvania/Delaware
Harrisburg, Pa.
Tel: (717) 564-8400
www.aasp-pa.org

NEW JERSEY

AASP-New Jersey
Neptune, N.J.
Tel: (732) 922-8909
www.aaspnj.org

NEW YORK

Autobody Craftsmen’s Guild
826 Forest  Avenue
Staten Island, N.Y.
Tel: (718) 448-4075
Fax: (718)  448-4517
www.ABCGNYC.com

New York State Automotive Collision Technicians Association
Centereach, N.Y.
Tel: (631) 941-9647
www.nysact.org

Long Island Auto Body Repairmen’s Association (LIABRA)
Centereach, N.Y.
Ed Kizenberger
Tel: (631) 941-9647
www.liabra.com

Westchester-Putnam-Rockland Auto Body Association
Harrison, N.Y.
Tel: 914-698-4500  or  914-835-5688
www.wpraba.org aliases to: www.collisionexpert.org
FRANK FERRARO - EXECUTIVE ADVISOR

New York State Association of Service Stations & Repair Shops (NYSASSRS)
Albany, N.Y. 12206
Tel: (518) 452-4367
www.nysassrs.com

PENNSYLVANIA

AASP-Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pa.
Tel: (717) 564-8400
www.aasp-pa.org

Pennsylvania Collision Trade Guild (PCTG)
Philadelphia, Pa.
Tel: (215) 342-1818
www.pctg.org

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