Lindland and Henderson counter suing over Team Quest name
In February, Dan Henderson filed suit alleging trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and unfair competition. Hendo claimed that he and teammate…
In February, Dan Henderson filed suit alleging trademark infringement, copyright infringement, and unfair competition. Hendo claimed that he and teammate Randy Couture founded Team Quest in 1999 and were using the name a distinct logo before Matt Lindland joined the duo a year later. Although he admits to being aware that Lindland has been using the Team Quest name and logo for a decade continuously, Henderson contends they belong to him – and he wants them back.
Last week Lindland fired back with an answer and counterclaim. Lindland says Henderson was never an owner of Team Quest, rather that Lindland and Couture entered into business together in gym built inside a warehouse located on a used car lot Lindland owned near Portland, Oregon. While Henderson did wear a Team Quest t-shirt to events in Japan, it was Lindland and Couture who built a business selling MMA instruction and apparel, creating a reputation of excellence throughout the MMA world
Lindland, now the sole owner of Team Quest, also owns several federally registered trademarks to the Team Quest name and mark. In 2006, Lindland began franchising Team Quest gyms and authorized Henderson to open a Team Quest gym in Temecula, California.
Lindland contends that Henderson recognized Lindland was the proper owner of the Team Quest name and logo – otherwise, why would Henderson request a license to use the marks in California?
Image courtesy of CombatLifestyles.com