The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) is suing a new implant group for allegedly trying to pass itself off as the older group to unfairly recruit dentists looking for implant training and credentials.
The AAID, which was established 61 years ago, filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court in Chicago claiming that the American Dental Implant Association (ADIA), based in North Miami Beach, FL, is infringing on its trademark by confusing dentists who think they are dealing with the 4,000-member Chicago operation, according to a story in Crain's Chicago Business.
In its complaint, the AAID accuses the ADIA of engaging in a "calculated strategy of willful trademark infringement." The Chicago group is seeking an unspecified amount of money in damages and a court order barring the Florida operation from using certain terms it says are deliberately intended to confuse potential members.
Arun Garg, DMD, who founded the Florida group in 2008, called the suit an attempt to bully a competitor and denied ever using the AAID's title, according to Crain's.
