A Black Bike files for Federal Court

A Black Bike, Inc. sues Club Monaco, Inc., and Koninklijke Gazelle, alleging false advertising, unfair competition, deceptive acts and practices, and trademark and copyright infringement.

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) February 4, 2010 -- A Black Bike, Inc., a small scale bicycle distributor based in Brooklyn, New York, filed a lawsuit in federal court today against the clothing and accessories retailer Club Monaco, Inc., and Koninklijke Gazelle, alleging false advertising, unfair competition, deceptive acts and practices, and trademark and copyright infringement.

The complaint alleges that Club Monaco, a subsidiary of Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, used images of A Black Bike’s bicycles as the centerpiece of its Spring 2009 advertising campaign, without A Black Bike’s authorization, and while publicly representing that the images were instead bicycles manufactured by the Dutch bicycle company Koninklijke Gazelle.

A Black Bike, founded in 2008, is owned by Muna Whitfield, a fashion model and documentary filmmaker who was born in Kenya and grew up in Holland. A Black Bike garnered significant attention towards the end of 2008, culminating in an article in the “What’s Hot” section of the December 2008 issue of Elle Décor magazine, featuring A Black Bike.

In January of 2009, following the upswing of A Black Bike’s publicity, the complaint alleges that Club Monaco purchased a bicycle from A Black Bike and discussed a national advertising campaign that would feature A Black Bike’s bicycles. Although a deal was never reached, in part because Club Monaco insisted that A Black Bike provide free bicycles for the campaign, the complaint alleges that the A Black Bike bicycle was prominently featured in Club Monaco’s Spring 2009 advertising campaign, without A Black Bike’s authorization. Furthermore, instead of crediting A Black Bike, the complaint alleges that Club Monaco confused consumers by falsely representing that the bike in the campaign was a “Gazelle,” manufactured by the Dutch company, Koninklijke Gazelle, a competitor of A Black Bike.

As evidence of this deception, the complaint points to a New York Times article from April 16, 2009, entitled “Riding the It Factor,” where Club Monaco’s advertising campaign featuring the A Black Bike bicycle garnered national attention. In the article, a Club Monaco executive claims that the bike used in the advertising campaign was in fact a “Gazelle” bike he had discovered while vacationing in England. However, the complaint alleges that the A Black Bike logo on the bicycle is clearly visible in Club Monaco’s Spring 2009 campaign, indicating that the executive’s story about the bike’s origins is inaccurate.

Club Monaco, which placed Gazelle bicycles in its stores in conjunction with the Spring 2009 campaign, claims that it sold a significant quantity of Gazelle bicycles within the first week of the campaign.

Following these events, A Black Bike suffered a large drop in sales due to Gazelle’s benefit from the advertising campaign in the U.S. market.

The complaint was filed in federal district court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, by A Black Bike’s attorneys at Shlansky & Co., LLP. The case is docket number 10CV893.

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Hi there, Its seems like this winter never ends but we have been keeping ourselves warm with some amazing music. For some time now we have been listening to this amazing band from Africa and they are called: Staff Benda Bilili. Their name translates as " look beyond the appearances" and thats where their music comes in. They are this remarkable band of paraplegic musicians who live around the grounds of the Zoo in Kinsahasa. Most members of the band are disable- paraplegic victims of the polio virus and homeless. These congolese street musicians play music which is rooted in rumba, with elements of old-school rhythm 'n' blues and reggae. Their hand cranked wheelchairs are huge contraptions that look as if they are made of cast- off section of bicycles and motorcycles. Their story is extraordinary and their music comes straight from the heart. Check out their myspace, sign up as friends, support this amazing group ! You will be hearing more from this group in the beginning of the summer. STAFF BENDA BILILI MYSPACE

Indoor Bike Parking Solutions

Check out the Museum of the City of New York. Its name says it all. Their unique mandate – to explore the past, present, and future of New York City and celebrate its heritage of diversity, opportunity, and perpetual transformation – enables them to present a variety of exhibitions, public programs, and publications, all investigating what gives New York its singular character. They have many exhibitions and programs planned in the next months that will highlight Nieuw Amsterdam this months program will be about the Indoor bike parking solution. Check their website for time and date www.mcny.org Best, Muna Whitfield

Nice to meet you ! Hello my name is Muna and I am the Creative Director and Owner of A Black Bike. As of the month of february I will be giving weekly or monthly updates here and there on our bike company and tell you what's going on in new york with bike programs and offcourse the celebration of Dutch festivities true out the city this year. You can say I am a healthy bike freak or lover or however you would like to call it. I would be more than happy to share my thoughts and ideas to show my determination in creating a Bike movement. I will be sharing information on favorite bike rides from Central Park to Coney Island to the Hudson River Greenway Side and all types of bike programs like recycle a bicycle, , i will be discussing idea's with local bike advocates, interviewing my favorite bike shop which is Bike shop A and lots more. We will be showing the impact of bicycles here in New York. I truly believe that every person can make a difference-- if we all think,act and work together WE CAN ! I know for a fact that bicycles as transportation is an example of how to keep New York City's (or any other city's ) air cleaner, and can reduce the noise pollution! I am determined to make New York City a bike friendly city and put it on the map to show the world it is possible to promote this healthy and eco-conscious mode of transportation. A Greener life is a better life Best, Muna

A Black Bike celebrates 400 years friendship between New York and the New Netherlands

Greetings ! We hope everyone had a great holiday. The year 2008 just flew by, and we have been very fortunate to have had such a great year. The amount of press we have recieved was just amazing, the feedback of clients and supporters have been a true blessing. We really would like to thank each and every one of you for sending emails and pictures from all over the United States. We Thank you !! We have got a lot in store for you guys, we have been very busy creating our accessories line, due to the overwhelming response during the holiday periods we have experienced a slight delay. We thank you for your patient and will hopefully have that section up and running soon on our site. The year 2009 is a very special year,and we will be celebrating that in every way . Exactly 400 years ago a Dutch Captain named Henry Hudson departed Amsterdam on a Dutch East India Company ship called the Halve Maen ( Half Moon). Hudson sailed up the New York River that now bears his name. His voyage attracted Dutch traders to the area, leading to the establishment of divers, relatively tolerant settlements; Nieuw Amsterdam and the Nieuw Netherlands colony. Up till this day the Dutch have had a lasting impact on America's culture and heritage. Since we are a Dutch Bicycle company based here in New York, we wanted to celebrate this beautiful long lasting tie and create a platform for different artist from Amsterdam and New York. This will be in the field of Arts, Design or Fashion. We will celebrate the free spirit, openness, entrepreneurship and tolerance of those Dutch-American pioneers, and their continued relevance today and beyond. As of the month February , you will receive updates from our Creative Director who will give you the ins and out on all activities that will ocure here in the city and share news from both sides of the pond. To learn more go to : http://www.henryhudson400.com or www.ny400.org . We are looking forward to a productive and colorful year. Stay warm ! Best, A Black Bike

Elle Decor

Black Bike is Featured in Elle Decor Magazine December 2008 Issue

Elle Decor is the world's highest selling luxury modern interiors magazine that applies international style and ideas to home design. Each issue features information on interiors and architecture, as well as in-depth profiles of today's top designers. A Black Bike is featured in the December 2008 issue, under WHAT"S HOT ! Special thanks to the Editors for featuring our beautiful bikes in there December issue and a special thanks to photographer Geoffrey Sokol for making our bikes look even cooler !! Elledecor is out now or you can go visit them online at Elledecor.com.

The Power of Bicycles

We have always believed that bicycles can improve the world and the lives of the people in it. As bike lovers, we understand the importance of this unique machine. What can be seen by one as recreational biking can be seen by another person as an economic development. Just as we carefully research each new bike detail, we carefully research which projects we could like tocollaborate upon and support. We are proud to be a supporter of World Bicycle Relief-- an organization that empowers individuals, their families, and their communities. We believe that we can make a difference in the world, no matter where, by donating a percentage of our company profits to causes that promote and facilitate bicycle usage. Learn more about this wonderful organization at www.worldbicyclerelief.org What is your transportation?