August 8, 2002
United States Mint Lawsuit Ends in Historic Settlement, Washington Mint, LLC Pays U.S. $2.1 Million
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WASHINGTON – The United States Mint announced today that the
Department of Justice has settled all of the United States Mint’s
copyright, trademark and false advertising claims against the Washington
Mint, LLC. The settlement, in which the Washington Mint must pay the U.S.
Government $2.1 million, marks the end of three years of litigation.
“This historic settlement affirms the United States Mint’s
commitment to protect and inform its customers, to educate consumers
across the nation, and to safeguard the United States Mint’s reputation
for producing the highest quality coins and products,” said United
States Mint Director Henrietta Holsman Fore.
The United States Mint commenced its lawsuit against the Washington
Mint in 1999, when the private Minnesota firm refused to cease and desist
its false and deceptive advertising, as well as its sales, of unauthorized
medallions bearing the protected image of Sacagawea that appears on the
United States $1 coin. The U.S. District Court for the District of
Minnesota did indeed find the Washington Mint liable for violating the
United States Mint’s copyright in the Golden Dollar obverse design. The
Court also ruled that Washington Mint was liable for infringing the United
States Mint’s famous incontestable trademark and engaging in false and
deceptive advertising. Because of these violations, the Court issued a
permanent injunction against the Washington Mint.
Under the settlement, the United States Government has agreed to
resolve all pending claims against the Washington Mint. The consent
decree, approved by the Court, also requires the Washington Mint to serve
a consumer awareness notice to its customers of U.S. coins or U.S. coin
replicas since January 1, 2000, in an effort to eliminate existing
confusion over the Washington Mint’s status as a private business and to
educate consumers on replica coin products in general.
The Washington Mint remains subject to the permanent injunction, which
prohibits it from producing and marketing replicas of the Golden Dollar
coin. The injunction also requires the Washington Mint to use a
court-ordered disclaimer in all advertisements and marketing materials
featuring United States Mint-related products. To assist the Government in
its monitoring of the permanent injunction, the settlement requires the
Washington Mint to furnish the Justice Department copies of all marketing
materials involving U.S. coins or replicas of U.S. coins for three years.
Contact: Press inquiries: Michael White (202) 354-7222 Customer Service
information: (800) USA MINT (872-6468)
Website: www.usmint.gov |
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