American lubricant distributor Stanley Oil & Lubricants filed for Chapter 11 protection after a prolonged dispute over trademark infringement with German supplier General Petroleum.
Court documents revealed that in 2019, Stanley struck a deal with General Petroleum to buy products from the United Arab Emirates that would be imported and sold in the U.S. The arrangement quickly went sour and so began five years of squabbling about trademarks, copyrights and other business dealings.
General Petroleum manufactures automotive, industrial and marine lubricants. The company alleges Stanley stole its copyright to market products in the U.S., as well as unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, cybersquatting, cancellation of fraudulently obtained trademark registration, and that the defendant was trafficking goods bearing counterfeit marks, reports say.
A District Court granted General Petroleum an injunction to prevent Stanley Oil from manufacturing, importing, distributing and selling products with its trademarks. The court also froze Stanley’s related assets.
Stanley claims it has no money to pay creditors after expenses. Court documents showed $50,000 in assets but millions in debts.
Stanley Oil markets automotive, industrial and marine lubricants and grease, as well as additives chemicals, base oils, coolants and chemicals.