The NFL and the Giants have filed suit against Giants fan Tracy Penn in U.S. District Court alleging that Penn "engaged in, among other things, federal trademark infringement, false advertising, cyberpiracy and logo counterfeiting," according to Don Stancavish of the Bergen RECORD. To show "his displeasure" that the team changed the logo on their helmets from "GIANTS" back to "NY" after last season, Penn's Web site, www.newjerseygiants.com, has been selling shirts and stickers featuring a "New Jersey Giants" logo. The suit contends that Penn's logos "are blatantly imitative" of the Giants logo, and the league and team are "asking the court to bar Penn from selling the merchandise and using the New Jersey Giants name." The suit also seeks damages and other costs related to the suit. NFL Dir of Corporate Communications Brian McCarthy: "This person was trying to grab a free ride on the goodwill the Giants have built up over the years." Penn said, "I don't think it's as clear-cut as they think. They do not own the trademark for the New Jersey Giants." Penn said that since launching the site, he has sold "about 300 of the shirts" and added that he has never advertised. Penn has not hired an attorney, but "plans to fight the suit" (Bergen RECORD, 12/15).
