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http://knifenews.com/todd-begg-files-suit-against-todd-begg-knives-trademark-holder/
A message from Todd Begg.
It is very important to me that my customers always have a clear understanding when it comes to the
value that I place on my name, my reputation, and the quality of my products. For over thirty years,
customers have trusted the quality and craftsmanship of a knife bearing my stamp. In order to preserve
that trust, I have been forced to take the serious and well-considered step to file suit against Mark
Skaggs, Mattia Borrani, and PIMP LLC in California Federal Court to ensure that Begg knife enthusiast
and collectors worldwide can continue to buy a Todd Begg Knife with confidence.
I no longer make knives, or provide knife designs to PIMP LLC, which does business under the
fictitious name “Todd Begg Knives.” I do not endorse or consent to PIMP, LLC, Mark Skaggs, or
Mattia Borrani’s use of my name, persona, or designs.
The products currently being produced by Mark Skaggs, Mattia Borrani, and PIMP LLC under my name
are being produced without my consent, endorsement or permission. Please contact me at Toddbeggusa@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns about the genuineness of products you
have purchased.
The litigation unfortunately prevents me from discussing the particular details of the case, but you are
free to see the lawsuit here: CASE: 3:17-cv-06436 California Federal Court, Northern District.
I will continue to be true to my passion and love of knife making. I am eager to regain control of my name and
reputation, and get back to work.
I apologize to those whose orders have been delayed. Please know that I am working as quickly as I can
to get the orders out to you.
Thank you for your attention, support and most of all, your understanding. I pray for a swift and
amicable end to this unfortunate and unnecessary situation.
I am always happy to address any of my customers’ product questions or concerns, or if you want to
inquire about how to obtain genuine Todd Begg Knife. Please feel free to contact me at this emailaddress(Toddbeggusa@gmail.com)
http://knifenews.com/todd-begg-files-suit-against-todd-begg-knives-trademark-holder/
On Friday, Custom maker Todd Begg sued Pride In Making Products (PIMP) LLC., the company currently behind the Todd Begg Knives brand, as well as company co-owners Mattia Borrani and Mark Skaggs, Todd’s brother. Among other remedies, the suit aims to regain the use of the name “Todd Begg Knives” for Begg’s custom work, prevent his existing designs from being produced without his permission, and cause the dissolution of the company.
Begg and his partners founded PIMP LLC. in 2012. It’s the company behind the Steelcraft series, as well as a custom shop for Todd Begg designs made by other trained craftsmen. According to the complaint, Begg signed on as a 1/3 owner of the company, but his role has been “limited to the manufacturing of knives, training and overseeing knife-making employees, as well as the Company’s utilization of the goodwill associated with his name and reputation.”
The suit alleges that in January 2017, the Company stopped making payments to Todd Begg which prompted Begg’s move to [Dallas] Texas. A month later when Begg attempted to recover $200,000 of knife making equipment from the company’s California headquarters, “Defendants refused access … threatened to call law enforcement, and thereafter changed the locks to the doors of the Company’s premises.”
Begg says that the company won’t provide him access to the company’s books and records which “he is entitled to inspect.”
A trademark registration for the name “Todd Begg Knives” was filed by PIMP and granted in 2015. However, the complaint says that the Begg consented to the trademark only in certain circumstances. “While Plaintiff [Begg] participated in the Company, Plaintiff allowed the Defendants to operate under the fictitious business name ‘Todd Begg Knives’ solely so that Plaintiff could maintain control over the use of his name and the quality of the products sold by the Company.”
It goes on to allege that the trademark filing had consequences for Begg that his partners deliberately hid. “Acquiring Plaintiff’s consent to the trademark would secure the right to prevent Plaintiff from using his name in conjunction with the sale of knives. … Defendants fraudulently procured Plaintiff’s consent to the registration of the trademark.” It maintains that this lead to “confusion in the marketplace by producing products bearing Plaintiff’s name and identity that are not produced by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Plaintiff. … The Company’s trademark registration of TODD BEGG KNIVES is invalid and should be cancelled.”
The suit also seeks to prevent PIMP’s commercial use of Begg’s designs since his withdrawal of their permission to do so on June 4th (the final day of Blade Show 2017). According to the complaint, after June 4th and “without Plaintiffs consent or knowledge, the Plaintiff is informed and believes, and based thereon alleges, that Defendants entered into agreements with third parties, under which these third parties will produce knives based on Plaintiffs knife designs and design elements.”
The lawsuit also reveals that in August the parties attended a mediation in Sonoma County, California with Begg picking up the expenses. “Although defendants Skaggs and Borrani purportedly told the Company attorney that they would agree to the “basic terms” of Plaintiffs mediation agreement, Defendants refused to sign the mediation agreement.”
