‘Indiana Jones 5' Sparks Trademark Suit Over Hero’s Backpack

A leather-bound knapsack used by the titular character in Lucasfilm Ltd.'s summer action flick “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” triggered a trademark lawsuit from an outdoor gear maker claiming its product was advertised in the film without permission.

The complaint filed by the Superior Tech LLC—which does business as Frost River—in San Francisco federal court alleged Lucasfilm engaged in a national marketing campaign with a competitor, C.C. Filson Co., featuring a bag that actually was Frost River’s popular “Geologist Pack.”

The scheme is an example of “reverse passing off,” where a competitor removes a product’s trademarks to pass ...