Question

Canadian citizen Michael Hallat began visiting Trader Joe's grocery store in Bellingham, Washington several times a week. While there, Hallat purchased considerable quantities of goods and transported them to Canada, where he resold the items at inflated prices under the store name "Pirate Joe's." Hallat advertised his goods using Trader Joe's intellectual property, and decorated his pirate grocery store with the same themes and look. Because Hallat did not maintain product quality control, some customers became ill after consuming the Pirate (Trader) Joe's items. If Trader Joe's decides to sue Hallat, do you think the company will be able to bring suit in Washington State courts?

Answer 1

Answer:

Yes, because there is a connection to American commerce.

Explanation:

Hallat used the intellectual property of Trader Joe (a Washington-based grocery store) to sell plagiarized products in Canada. Intellectual property refers to the protection of the creations of the mind: inventions, general artistic works, academic production and symbols, names or images used in commerce. Since Trader Joe is a part of Washington trade and has learned of theft of its intellectual property to make plagiarized products overseas, which may tarnish its company name, Trader Joe may decide to sue Hallat in the Washington State courts, since there is a connection to the American trade.