Akoo Int’l, Inc. v. Harris, No. 10 C 1685 Slip. Op. (N.D. Ill. Sep. 9, 2011) (Coleman, J.). 

Judge Coleman denied plaintiff Akoo International (“AI”) a preliminary injunction to prevent rapper Clifford Harris from using the Akoo mark for his clothing line. The Court held that AI had not shown a sufficient likelihood of confusion:

• AI’s advertising system was very different than Harris’ clothing line.
• The parties sold in different channels.
• There was no evidence that Harris began using the mark to confuse AI’s customers.