Friday, June 24, 2011

Classmates.com Hit By Trademark Suit

Classmates International, the unit of Woodland Hills-based United Online which has recently been transitioning from a service to find old classmates and associates into one focused on nostalgic memories under the name MemoryLane, has been hit by a trademark suit. The suit was filed by Memory Lane Inc., alleging "false designation of origin and unfair competition" over the phrase "Memory Lane". The lawsuit was filed in the California Central District Court (Memory Lane Inc v. Classmates International Inc et al) on Thursday. United Online shifted Classmates into the nostalgic content market in February, as adoption of social networking sites like Facebook made the firm's prior business model irrelevant. Classmates' Memory Lane provides nostalgic magazines, school yearbook pictures, song samples, and more.

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