P&G Files Infringement Lawsuit Against RNA

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has filed a lawsuit against RNA Corporation, Blue Island, IL, for the infringement of its Herbal Essences intellectual property, including trademark, trade dress and design patents. The suit, filed last month in the U.S. Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in Cincinnati, involves the company’s Herbal Essences logo and the unique design of the Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner bottles. P&G claims RNA, a private label manufacturer, is distributing shampoo and conditioner products under the name Hydrating Herbal Shampoo and Hydrating Herbal Conditioner, which infringe upon the Herbal Essences intellectual property rights.

At press time, P&G is requesting that RNA Corporation be ordered to stop distributing the infringing products, request the recall of existing inventory from store shelves and destroy the bottle molds.