NAMI Files Suit Against Mindspring As Part of Ongoing Effort To Protect Brand

On Oct. 1, 2021, NAMI National filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Mindspring Mental Health Alliance Inc., in Des Moines, Iowa.  Mindspring was formed by members of the former NAMI Greater Des Moines, which voluntarily surrendered its affiliate status. Despite leaving the NAMI Alliance, Mindspring has continued to use NAMI-branded materials. NAMI has resorted to a lawsuit after several attempts to get Mindspring to stop using NAMI materials, which is an infringement of NAMI’s trademarks. NAMI has resorted to a lawsuit after several attempts over the past six months, including a cease-and-desist letter from counsel, to get Mindspring to stop using NAMI intellectual properties.

This suit is our latest effort to strongly defend our brand and our intellectual property. We recently filed a similar federal lawsuit in Texas against Uncommon Bond, Inc., doing business as 3dASAP Promotional Solutions. This company, without our authorization, has been selling and marketing NAMI-branded products through a website they operate as www. namistore. com.

It is important to understand that the unauthorized use of NAMI’s trademarks harms our organization. To preserve the goodwill associated with the services provided under NAMI’s brand, we cannot allow unauthorized vendors or former affiliates to use the same or similar trademarks that are likely to cause confusion as to source, sponsorship or affiliation. We will be vigilant in protecting our brand against anyone who engages in unlawful activity against our brand.