HP, Wex settle trademark case over HP's 'Wex' software
24/09/2024 22:11
By Blake Brittain
Sept 24 (Reuters) - HP Inc HPQ.N and Wex Inc WEX.N
have settled a trademark dispute over HP's alleged misuse of the
"Wex" name to brand its software, the companies told a Maine
federal court on Tuesday.
HP and Wex informed the U.S. District Court for the District
of Maine of the settlement during a Tuesday conference,
according to the court's docket. Attorneys and spokespeople for
the companies did not immediately respond to requests for
comment and more information about the settlement.
Wex offers software for corporate payments, managing vehicle
fleets and administering employee benefit plans. The Portland,
Maine-based company, which formerly specialized in fuel cards
for the trucking industry and was known as Wright Express,
changed its name to Wex in 2012.
Palo Alto, California-headquartered HP announced its "HP
Wex" information-technology "Workforce Experience Platform" in
March. Wex filed the lawsuit in April, arguing that HP's
software would cause consumer confusion.
U.S. District Judge John Woodcock granted Wex's request to
block HP from using the "Wex" name for the duration of the case
in July, finding that "the products are similar, the parties use
the same marketing terms to promote the products, the
plaintiff's marks are strong, and the plaintiff has put forth
convincing evidence of actual confusion."
HP's website currently refers to its software platform as a
"digital employee experience (DEX) solution."
The case is Wex Inc v. HP Inc, U.S. District Court for the
District of Maine, No. 2:24-cv-00121.
For Wex: David Bernstein, Megan Bannigan and Christopher
Ford of Debevoise & Plimpton
For HP: Eric Ball and Kimberly Culp of Fenwick & West
Read more:
HP sued by Wex for trademark infringement over 'Wex'
software
(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington)