Whirlpool Corporation Et Al V. Shenzhen Sanlida Electrical Technology Co., Ltd. Et Al

Case Background

On January 31, 2022, Plaintiff Whirlpool Corporation filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in the United States District Court, Texas Eastern (Case number: 2:22cv27). This case was assigned to District Judge Rodney Gilstrap and referred to Magistrate Judge Roy S. Payne.

Cause

Whirlpool Corporation and Whirlpool Properties, Inc. filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Shenzhen Sanlida Electrical Technology Co., Ltd. and Shenzhen Avoga Technology Co., Ltd. Whirlpool alleged that both Defendants deliberately copied the iconic design of its KitchenAid stand mixers. The company claimed that Defendants sold these look-alike products through major online marketplaces, including Amazon and Wayfair. Whirlpool had used the KitchenAid trademark since 1919 and built significant goodwill over the years. The company asserted that Defendants did not create unique stand mixer designs. Instead, they allegedly replicated the distinctive aesthetic of KitchenAid stand mixers. Whirlpool stated that Defendants’ mixers incorporated key design elements, such as a bullet-shaped head, sloped neck, rounded edges, and a signature attachment hub. By introducing these nearly identical products into the market, Defendants