Boston-based New Balance, a prominent American footwear and apparel brand, has filed a lawsuit against an entrepreneur in Kazakhstan’s Zhambyl region for trademark infringement.
The plaintiff has filed a lawsuit in the specialized inter-district economic court of the Zhambyl region, seeking approximately $730 in damages from a local entrepreneur, identified only as B., for the unauthorized use of its registered trademark, according to the court’s press office.
New Balance discovered the violation while making an online purchase. A store on the platform of a major Kazakhstani bank was selling products bearing a designation identical to the American brand’s registered trademark. To confirm the infringement, the company placed an order and documented the purchase process through video, photographs and a receipt.
After reviewing the evidence, the court encouraged both parties to settle the case amicably. They ultimately agreed that the defendant would partially admit fault and pay approximately $200, with $145 allocated as compensation for trademark infringement and the remainder covering the costs of documenting the violation.
The entrepreneur also agreed to stop using the New Balance brand and signed a formal pledge. As a result, New Balance withdrew the remaining portion of its claim, approximately $580. The court dismissed the case and refunded the filing fee to New Balance. The decision is now legally binding.
