By Associated Press - Thursday, March 29, 2018

EAST TAWAS, Mich. (AP) - “Perchville” belongs to a business group in northern Michigan.

A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce in a dispute over a trademark related to a popular winter festival called Perchville.

A business, Au Sable River Trading Post, sued the Tawas chamber over the trademark, saying it was generic and doesn’t deserve legal protection. The Trading Post makes T-shirts and other merchandise.

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But federal Judge Thomas Ludington says Perchville is a “fanciful” trademark and the Tawas chamber clearly has the authority to enforce it. The chamber charges $750 for non-members to use Perchville.

The judge says any remaining issues will be handled in state court.

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