Port Clinton firm files trademark lawsuit

12/1/2007

A Port Clinton company that makes bird calls and outdoor videos wants a competitor and the host of a popular television hunting program to stop using "24/7" in the logo of his products.

In a trademark infringement lawsuit filed this week in U.S. District Court in Toledo, Zinc Calls Inc. accused Pat Reeve of imitating its company's logo by using "Driven 24/7" to promote his own video productions.

Zinc Calls produces and markets instructional videotapes, compact discs, and DVDs for hunting under the name and logo "24-7 Mark." The company, which opened a $700,000 plant last year in Port Clinton, also makes and distributes duck and goose calls and outdoor apparel.

Mr. Reeve couldn't be reached for comment, and Fred Zink, president of the local firm, didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

According to the lawsuit, the local firm learned in May that the "Driven 24/7" phrase was being used in the promotion of Mr. Reeve's hunting products. The company told Mr. Reeve in a letter in October that he was violating its trademark.

"Driven 24/7" is also the name of the hunting program that Mr. Reeve hosts on the Sportsman Channel.

Zinc Calls has asked Judge James Carr to order Mr. Reeve and his Minnesota company, Pat Reeve Outdoors, to stop using 24/7 or anything similar to it to promote or advertise products.

The suit asks that any profits made by the defendant from use of the logo be paid to Zinc Calls, and it asks for reimbursement of legal expenses.