Nationwide Relocation Services v. Walker [1]

Moving company Nationwide Relocation Services [2] ("Nationwide") sued Tim Walker, Walker's company, Consumers First Corp., which runs the MovingScam.com [3] website, and several contributors to the MovingScam.com forum after Walker and the other contributors criticized the company's services. According to the complaint, the website used the trademarks of Nationwide and other moving companies without permission and published statements indicating that Nationwide engaged in "scams," while at the same time trying to induce customers to purchase moving-related products and services from the site and its advertisers. Nationwide sued for false advertising, trademark infringement, unfair competition, defamation, and tortious interference with business relationships in Florida federal court.

Defendants Sharon Bayolo and Farrah Leigh Wanner each moved to dismiss, Bayolo for lack of jurisidiction [4] and Wanner for failure to state a claim [5].  As a result, Nationwide amended [6] its complaint, and the court denied the motions as moot. 

In October 2007, Walker and Consumers First moved to dismiss for improper venue [7], failure to state a claim [8], and lack of personal jurisdiction [9].  The court denied the motions, finding that Walker and Consumers First specifically targeted the Southern District of Florida in operation of the website, thereby establishing jurisdiction [10] and venue [11], and that Nationwide's claims [11] were sufficiently stated.

In April 2008, Nationwide amended [12] its complaint again, and the defendants Walker, Consumer First, and Wanner filed an answer [13].

Update:

8/6/2008 - The parties settled [14] the case.