Forest River, Inc. V. inTech Trailers, Inc.

Case Background

On Aug. 31, 2021, RV manufacturer Forest River, Inc. filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against trailer manufacturer inTech Trailers, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division. The complaint alleged that inTech Trailers infringed Forest River's trademarks, including the DELLA TERRA mark and the Forest River Mountain Design mark, by using confusingly similar marks "Terra" and a new mountain design to brand and sell its recreational vehicles (RVs). Judge Damon R Leichty presided over this lawsuit. [Case number: 3:21cv645]

Cause

Forest River, founded in 1996, aimed to enhance outdoor experiences by creating RVs tailored to customer needs. Over the years, the company became one of North America's largest RV manufacturers, offering a variety of products, including trailers, boats, and buses. Its brand, built through extensive advertising and high sales volume, became widely recognized for quality. In March 2018, Forest River began selling DELLA TERRA RVs through its East to West division. The company promoted these RVs under the DELLA TERRA mark, using both plain and stylized fonts alongside other Forest River marks, such as the Forest River Mountain Design. The company’s efforts included a YouTube video in August 2018, which garnered over 11,000 views, and participation in the Elkhart RV Dealer Open House in September 2018. Throughout 2018, Forest River continued promoting the DELLA TERRA RVs through various media and platforms, investing over $100,000 in marketing. The DELLA TERRA RVs achieved significant sales, reaching eight figures annually. Dealers across the U.S. and internationally sold these RVs, expan