SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – The California Republican Party filed a trademark infringement complaint against the Democrat-run Asian American Small Business Political Action Committee for its unlawful use of the iconic Republican trademarked, registered elephant image, misrepresenting the CRP in multiple mailers ostensibly supporting Michaela Hertle, a candidate for SD7 who withdrew from the race weeks prior to the publication of the offending mailers. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, monetary damages, treble damages for willful infringement, and fees and costs of suit.
“Deceptive ads like these mislead voters and misinform them about the positions and endorsements of the California Republican Party,” said California Republican Party Chairman Senator Jim Brulte (Ret.). “It’s egregious on the part of a Democratic Political Action Committee to intentionally deceive Californians with its use of well-known Republican images.”
In the 2013-2014 election cycle the PAC only contributed to Democratic candidates including Sharon Quirk-Silva who was running against a Republican Korean American. For this PAC to claim that it is bipartisan is a false representation of its values as shown by its recent actions, including opposing Republican Asian American candidates for legislative office. The PAC’s FPPC independent expenditure reports filed on February 26 and March 4, 2015 lists its sources of funding for these mailers as four unions. [$50,000 AFSCME; $50,000 CA Professional Firefighters; $40,000 SEIU; $10,000 CA Nurses Association].
The Democrat-run PAC recently began distributing the mailers that featured the trademarked image, unapproved by the CRP, to voters in Senate District 7, where a special election is taking place on March 17. Immediately upon being made aware of the trademark infringement, the CRP issued a cease and desist letter, which the PAC ignored as it paid for and distributed yet another mailer, the second one with even more offending, unauthorized elephant images.
“This lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and damages on behalf of the party; it’s about protecting our property, but more importantly protecting the integrity of the political process and the rights of California voters not to be misled by blatant misconduct of this nature,” said California Republican Party Vice Chairman Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The PAC continued to publish a second mailer and deceive voters even after legal counsel for the California Republican Party sent it a cease and desist demand. We will pursue legal action against individuals and organizations who deceptively use our trademarked images without our authorization.”
5 comments
This Senate Race is Nuts.
I am voting for Joan Buchanan.
We need leaders that aren’t bought, Glazer and Bonilla are beholden to a whole lot of special interests. Buchanan works with everyone based on collaboration, information and what is best for everyone.
We need positive, smart, and proven leadership.
From the Contra Costa Times:
7th state Senate District spending tops $2.4 million The 7th State Senate District’s special election candidates’ campaigns are spending plenty:
Susan Bonilla (D): $340,382
Joan Buchanan (D): $210,058
Steve Glazer (D): $118,767
But special-interest groups are spending a lot more:
Bill Bloomfield, businessman: $489,856 (pro-Glazer)
JobsPAC (California Chamber of Commerce): $181,522 (pro-Glazer or anti- the other two)
California Charter Schools Association Advocates: $128,202 (pro-Glazer)
EdVoice: $23,570 (pro-Glazer)
Independent Voter PAC: $5,448 (pro-Glazer
California Dental Association: $321,631 (pro-Bonilla)
California Professional Firefighters: $154,928 (pro-Bonilla)
California Medical Association: $83,439 (pro-Bonilla)
California Building Industry Association: $49,893 (pro-Buchanan)
Working Families Opposing Glazer (labor unions): $203,531 (anti-Glazer)
Asian American Small Business PAC: $104,121 (anti-Glazer or pro-Michaela Hertle, a Republican who dropped out and endorsed Glazer)
Source: California Secretary of State.
Note: Campaign figures are as of Feb. 28; independent spending figures are as of Friday.
Hey, don’t you guys got something better to do? Like work for your constituents ?
Uhhhhn they are running for office! You know, they are allowed to do that. Geeeshhhh.
Oh and Joan Buchanan is probably self funded but make no mistake, Susan and Joan are pro Union and both hope to benefit from the scam the unions are funding.
Vote Steve Glazier-he has no special interests.
I wouldn’t vote for Bonilla if they sent me a check. Joan is the only real choice for us.
Joan is not a good choice. She is as tight with the unions as Susan Bonilla. If you wouldn’t vote for Susan (Bonilla) then don’t waste a vote for Joan. They are both lackluster politicians who are afraid to upset the status quo.
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