Subaru, Staples See Trademark Case Over Car Air Fresheners Ended

Subaru of America Inc. and Staples Inc. no longer face a trademark suit by the companies that have sold tree-shaped air-fresheners for cars for more than 60 years, according to a filing in federal court in New York.

Car-Freshner Corp. and Julius Samann Ltd., respectively the exclusive licensee and owner of the marks, voluntarily dismissed the suit Monday without an option for re-filing. It wasn’t clear whether the dismissal was the result of a settlement.

Car-Freshener and JSL alleged that Subaru and Staples were selling hats bearing a tree design that’s “virtually identical” to their trademarked design.

Staples, under contract ...