NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Johnson &
Johnson and the American Red Cross are pleased to announce resolution of
the litigation over the Red Cross emblem. Both organizations have used the
Red Cross emblem for over 100 years consistent with their respective
missions, and both will be able to continue to use it in the same way going
forward.
The recent litigation -- claims by Johnson & Johnson and counterclaims
by the American Red Cross -- was a dispute about the respective rights of
the two entities. While the litigation could have continued through an
upcoming trial and appeal, the parties have concluded that it is more
productive to accept the rulings by Judge Jed S. Rakoff, set the remaining
disputes aside, and direct attention instead to their respective missions.
Accordingly, the parties have agreed to dismiss all of their remaining
claims and counterclaims.
American Red Cross acting president and CEO Mary S. Elcano said, "We
are pleased that the court upheld our right to use our trusted emblem and
this dispute is behind us so we can focus on delivering lifesaving Red
Cross services to people in need. Johnson & Johnson has supported the Red
Cross mission for many years, and we at the Red Cross are pleased we can
count on the support of Johnson & Johnson to meet emergency needs as they
arise at home and around the world. Now, with the dispute resolved, we look
forward to many years of continued cooperation."
Johnson & Johnson chairman and CEO William C. Weldon said, "We join
with the Red Cross in expressing our pleasure that this dispute is over.
Johnson & Johnson brought the lawsuit very reluctantly only to protect what
we believed were important trademark issues. The decision of the court has
brought clarity to those issues, including its ruling that Johnson &
Johnson has properly used its valued Red Cross trademark over the years,
and we have no desire to continue our dispute through trial and appeal. We
are pleased with this resolution and look forward to working together with
the Red Cross in the years ahead."
The American Red Cross and Johnson & Johnson continue to work together
on multiple emergency response projects. In a recent example, Johnson &
Johnson and its CEO participated June 6th as part of a delegation of
companies hosted at the American Red Cross national headquarters to assess
needs and opportunities in responding to the recent earthquake in China.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of
disasters at home and abroad; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood;
teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their
families. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends
on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its
humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcross.org
or join our blog at http://www.redcrosschat.org
About Johnson & Johnson:
Caring for the world, one person at a time ... inspires and unites the
people of Johnson & Johnson. We embrace research and science -- bringing
innovative ideas, products and services to advance the health and
well-being of people. Our 119,500 employees at more than 250 Johnson &
Johnson companies work with partners in health care to touch the lives of
over a billion people every day, throughout the world. For more
information, please visit http://www.jnj.com
SOURCE Johnson & Johnson
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Related links:
http://www.jnj.com
http://www.redcross.org http://www.redcrosschat.org
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/467347.html /
CONTACT:
Jeffrey J. Leebaw, +1-732-524-3350, or
mobile, +1-732-642-6608, Marc Monseau, +1-732-524-1130, or
mobile, +1-732-766-3563; or Mary Havell, American Red Cross,
+1-202-303-8037
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