J&J (NYSE: JNJ) Sues Red Cross Over Use of Red Cross Emblem

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Johnson & Johnson
 (J&J) ( JNJ) filed a lawsuit against the American Red Cross and four
 of its licensing partners for "unlawful conduct" related to the nonprofit's
 use of the Red Cross emblem.
     Specifically, J&J demands that the Red Cross:
 
     -- Stop the Red Cross and its licensing partners from using the Red Cross
        emblem permanently on first aid, preparedness and related products sold
        to the public;
     -- Surrender to J&J for destruction the Red Cross' inventory of accused
        products;
     -- Hand over to J&J all Red Cross proceeds from the sale of these products
        with interest; and
     -- Pay punitive damages to J&J along with attorney fees related to its
        legal action against the Red Cross.
     "For a multi-billion dollar drug company to claim that the Red Cross
 violated a criminal statute that was created to protect the humanitarian
 mission of the Red Cross-simply so that J&J can make more money-is
 obscene," said Mark W. Everson, President and CEO of the American Red
 Cross.
     Research has found that only seven percent of Americans have taken the
 necessary steps to be prepared-and that more people would get prepared if
 preparedness products were more available, including at retail locations.
 Since 2004, the Red Cross has worked with several licensing partners to
 create first aid, preparedness and related products that bear the Red Cross
 emblem.
     All money the Red Cross receives from the sale of these products to
 consumers is reinvested in its humanitarian programs and services.
     "The Red Cross products that J&J wants to take away from consumers and
 have destroyed are those that help Americans get prepared for life's
 emergencies," said Everson. "I hope that the courts and Congress will not
 allow Johnson & Johnson to bully the American Red Cross."
     The American Red Cross helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to
 emergencies. Last year, almost a million volunteers and 35,000 employees
 helped victims of almost 75,000 disasters; taught lifesaving skills to
 millions; and helped U.S. service members separated from their families
 stay connected. Almost 4 million people gave blood through the Red Cross,
 the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. The
 American Red Cross is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
 Movement. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is
 invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a
 government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do
 its work.
 
 

SOURCE American Red Cross