Trader Joe’s recently filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe’s United, the union representing numerous employees, claiming that the union violated the company’s trademark. The lawsuit alleges that by selling merchandise supporting the union, the union committed copyright infringement. The lawsuit was dismissed by a judge, and the judge stated that the lawsuit was filed to disrupt an ongoing labor dispute between the two parties. Trader Joe’s filed the lawsuit shortly after claims about labor violations became public from a complaint released by the National Labor Relations Board. In response to the dismissal of the lawsuit, Trader Joe’s has submitted an appeal to the 9th Circuit US Court of Appeals.
See "Trader Joe’s files federal appeal after judge dismissed lawsuit against Trader Joe’s United", Dan Mangan, CNBC, February 13, 2024