MARCH 29 I UNIVERSAL PERCUSSION, GUITAR CENTER I LEGAL
Universal Percussion Files Lawsuit Against GC

Universal Percussion, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Guitar Center accusing the company of engaging in bait-and-switch selling tactics that caused Universal Percussion to lose out on sales of its WUHAN-branded cymbals and gongs in Guitar Center stores.

Universal Percussion alleges that Guitar Center intentionally misled customers into believing that Guitar Center's AGAZARIAN products were the same as Universal Percussion's WUHAN products, such that customers who came to Guitar Center stores looking for WUHAN products were directed to purchase AGAZARIAN products instead. Among nine causes of action, the complaint alleges false advertising, unfair competition, and trademark infringement in violation of the federal trademark statute. The civil action, which also requests a jury trial, an injunction restraining Guitar Center from engaging in any further unlawful selling tactics, and an unspecified amount of damages, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio by plaintiff's attorneys Thomas L. Holt, Caroline A. Teichner and Brandon M. White of Perkins Coie LLP.

Universal Percussion has owned exclusive rights to the WUHAN trademark for percussion instruments since the late 1980s.

Music Inc. reached out to Guitar Center, but they declined to comment.

universalpercussion.com
guitarcenter.com