CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against a Hagerstown, Md.-based in-home healthcare and staffing company Aug. 27.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for Maryland, said the insurer has more than 25 registrations issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its “CAREFIRST” mark. The filing said the insurer has been using the mark for more than 40 years, going back to May 1977.
“CareFirst has spent significant time, effort and expense promoting its services offered under the Mark and achieved significant fame and valuable trademark rights in its Mark during this period,” the lawsuit said. “As a result, members and customers have come to recognize CareFirst and its trademarks, including the Mark, as indicating a source of health care insurance and related health care services.”
However, the insurer said it has never granted another party permission to use the CareFirst name without a license. CareFirst BCBS said the other healthcare company, CareFirst Community Health, does not have the insurer’s authorization to use the mark.
The complaint said CareFirst BCBS sent the company a cease-and-desist letter Jan. 24, but the insurer allegedly did not get a response. The filing said CareFirst Community Health still uses the name.
Becker’s contacted CareFirst Community Health and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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