Char-Broil Trademark Suit Targets Imposter Email to Supplier

Grill company Char-Broil LLC in a federal lawsuit accused an unknown individual posing as its representative of sending an email to a Chinese supplier suggesting the US company faced dire financial trouble.

Char-Broil’s lawsuit said “John Doe” used the email address Charbroilteam@gmail.com to send grill manufacturer Midea Group employees confidential information indicating mounting financial losses, the complaint in the US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia said. The email “was to interfere with the ongoing and future contractual and business relationships” between itself and Midea, Char-Broil said.

The complaint said John Doe’s actions created a likelihood that recipients ...