Deaf Poetry Event Operator Sues Rival Over ‘ASL SLAM’ Trademark

The proprietor of a Deaf poetry and storytelling event accused a rival of infringing an “ASL SLAM” trademark and defrauding the US Patent and Trademark Office.

Anne Marie “Jade” Bryan and Jade Films and Entertainment LLC willfully infringed Douglas Ridloff’s “ASL SLAM” mark through their use of an identical mark for competing entertainment services featuring live poetry and storytelling performances by artists in the Deaf community, Ridlof and ASL Slam Inc. said in a complaint filed Tuesday in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The plaintiffs claim common law trademark rights in the “ASL SLAM” ...