Trademark Dispute Over Pizza Turns into Federal Food Fight
The Gazette reports a trademark dispute between Ledo Pizza Inc. of Annapolis and the Marcos family of Prince George’s County.
Ledo has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt against Thomas E. Marcos Sr., Thomas E. Marcos, Jr., and James L. Marcos, claiming the family illegally used the Ledo name and trademark to sell food, resulting in financial losses.
Just a couple of months ago, the Marcos family and Ledo chairman Robet M. Beall appeared to be best of friends when appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show and getting national exposure for having one of the best Pizzas in the nation.
But now Ledo Pizza System claims that the Marcos family, which helped established the Ledo brand 50 years ago, breached a 12-year-old agreement by selling products under the Ledo name and logo at Expressions catering sevice in Calvery County and at TJ Elliott’s in Bowie, both owned and operated by the Marcos family.
The two sides were scheduled to meet early in February to discuss a possible settlement. Ledo is seeking unspecified damages from the Marcos family, plus court costs and attorney fees. There has been no trial date set.