CORAL GABLES (LALATE EXCLUSIVE) – The Situation claims his GTL trademark is being used without his authorization by a website MYGTLFUEL.com or GLT Fuel LLC of Florida. But as LALATE has learned, the Situation has no trademark rights to “GLT Fuel”. While the Situation, Mike Sorrentino (Jersey Shore), reportedly is intending to bring suit against the owner of GTL Fuel, the suit may have zero trademark basis.
LALATE has learned that, in February this year, GTL Fuel, LLC, a Florida based company, applied for a trademark for “GTL Fuel” for the class of goods specifically described as “energy drinks”. In August this year, the trademark was issued to GTL Fuel LLC.
In April, GTL Fuel also applied for a trademark for “GTL Fuel” for the class for goods described as “plastic tubes for packaging of non-alcoholic drinks in test tube shape container.” The trademark was issued on October 4 this year.
The reported dispute Sorrentino has with GLT Fuel LLC is the use of “GTL Fuel” for energy drinks, exactly the trademark that was issued to Fuel LLC, not Sorrentino. Only GLT Fuel LLC has trademarks to GTL Fuel for energy drinks.
Moreover, Sorrentino’s company MPS Entertainment has never even applied for a trademark for “GTL Fuel” in energy drinks. So what does Sorrentino own?
First, he owns GTL to be used for “personal appearances by an entertainer”. Second, he owns GTL to be used for “health and fitness spa services” such as providing help to “make health, wellness and nutritional changes” in people’s lives. Third, he owns GTL Finder for computer applications with mobile devices.
Sorrentino does not own any trademark for GTL or GTL Fuel concerning energy drinks. In fact, Sorrentino just recently filed an application to get a trademark for GTL for “dietary supplemental drinks” and other meal replacements. The application is still under staff review. And based upon the existing GTL Fuel trademark issued for energy drinks, the attempt by Sorrentino get a trademark of GTL dietary drinks will probably prompt review by the Trademark Office; the Office will have to determine if the Situation’s application should be approved as filed or whether the two marks are too similar.
