The Alabama State Port Authority (ASPA), operator of the Port of Mobile, has filed a federal lawsuit against Texas-based Gulf Corp and its affiliate Gulf Port Alabama, accusing them of trademark infringement, copyright violation, and cybersquatting in connection with their marketing of the planned Port Alabama Industrial Center.
The $1bn, 12m sq ft industrial park is under construction in Baldwin County, just east of Mobile Bay. The port authority claims the park’s branding is “intentionally confusing,” designed to mislead the public and investors into thinking it is affiliated with or endorsed by the Port of Mobile—a major gateway for US Gulf trade.
At issue is the use of the name Port Alabama, along with the website domain www.portalabama.com, which closely resembles the port authority’s official domain, www.alports.com. The lawsuit also alleges unauthorised use of a copyrighted promotional video originally commissioned by ASPA.
Gulf Corp has not publicly responded to the allegations.
