South Dakota’s Sturgis prevails in trademark lawsuit

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RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A Kentucky motorcycle event will have to change its name as part of a settlement in a lawsuit brought by Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Inc.

A federal judge in Rapid City signed a consent judgment and permanent injunction that bars a Sturgis, Ky., group that billed itself as the “Little Sturgis Rally” from using the word Sturgis in referring to any motorcycle event.

The lawsuit claimed infringement on the trademark of South Dakota’s Sturgis motorcycle rally, which draws hundreds of thousands of people each August. The summer motorcycle event in Sturgis, Ky., raises money for charity.

KBHB radio reported that the settlement includes an undisclosed payment to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Inc. for previous use of the “Sturgis” trademark.