SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Traeger Grills (the “Company”) today announced that it has settled its case against Joseph, Brian and Mark Traeger (the “Traeger Family Members”) and several claims against Dansons US, LLC (“Dansons”), the maker of Louisiana and Pit Boss grills, to require the Traeger Family Members and Dansons to be permanently enjoined from, among other things, using the Traeger Family Member names, likenesses and reputations, including the iconic Traeger Barn, to promote Dansons or other grills as if they were genuine Traegers. The settlement agreement fully resolves the lawsuit brought by Traeger Grills earlier this year against the Traeger Family Members in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida Tampa Division (the “Florida Lawsuit”) as well as certain claims in the lawsuit brought by Traeger Grills against Dansons in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.
The lawsuits alleged that the Traeger Family Members had colluded with Dansons US, LLC (“Dansons”), the maker of Louisiana and Pit Boss grills, to misappropriate the Traeger name and imagery. Among other things, the suit alleged that in 2019, Joe and Brian Traeger helped Dansons introduce a “FOUNDERS SERIES” of its Louisiana Grills in a clear violation of the Company’s agreement with Joe and Brian Traeger, and that Dansons had continued to use the likenesses of Joe and Brian, and the iconic Traeger Barn, to suggest falsely that Dansons’ grills are affiliated with, or endorsed by, Traeger Grills.
Jeremy Andrus, CEO of Traeger Grills, stated: “This is a significant step forward in the effort to protect our brand. As we said from the beginning, we respect the right of the Traeger family to earn a living, so long as they do not violate their contracts with us. The settlement agreement reached today provides strong protections against the future misuse of the Traeger name, barn or likenesses to confuse consumers or promote other grills as if they were genuine Traegers.”
Under the terms of the settlement, the Traeger Family Members and Dansons will be permanently enjoined from:
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“Using or publishing, or assisting or consenting to others in using or publishing, in any catalog, disclaimer, brochure, social media post, or other commercial advertisement, any pictures, images, text, or videos of the Traeger word trademark, the names of Joe, Brian, and Mark Traeger, images prominently displaying the whole barn silhouette of the Traeger Barn located in Mt. Angel, Oregon, images of Joe, Mark or Brian Traeger, or references to Joe Traeger as the founder or creator of the wood pellet grill, in connection with the advertising, marketing, or sale of wood pellet grills and associated products,” and;
- “Arranging any public appearance or appearing anywhere that communicates an endorsement by Joe Traeger, Mark Traeger, or Brian Traeger of Dansons' US LLC or any of its affiliates or brands.”
Mr. Andrus added: “We are pleased to put these aspects of the lawsuits behind us and will continue to press forward with our remaining claims against Dansons for misappropriating our trade secrets and copying virtually every aspect of our brand. We remain committed to protecting the Traeger brand, our investment, and the trust and loyalty of our community.”
About Traeger
Traeger Grills, headquartered in Salt Lake City, has been revolutionizing BBQ grilling and outdoor cooking for over 30 years with one simple, all-encompassing cooking solution. Traeger pellet grills use 100% all-natural hardwood fuel to infuse food with flavorful smoke, making food taste delicious and most of all, memorable. As the inventor of the original and world's top selling wood-fired grill, Traeger utilizes wood-fired convection power to provide 6-in-1 versatility; grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ meals to perfection every time. Visit www.traegergrills.com for more information and to purchase Traeger grills and accessories.
