JIMMY BUFFETT - BUFFET SETTLES TRADEMARK SUIT

BUFFET SETTLES TRADEMARK SUIT

LATEST: JIMMY BUFFETT has settled his trademark infringement suit against an online merchandise retailer who has agreed to stop selling items bearing the singer's MARGARITAVILLE brand. Buffett, who has made a fortune from his trademarked hit Margaritaville, accused ROBERT AKARD of selling T-shirts, CDs and other memorabilia over the internet without his permission. Earlier this month (NOV06), US District Judge SAM KENT ordered Akard to shut down his website, pending the outcome of Buffett's lawsuit and to account for how much money had been made from online sales. But, at a hearing on Monday (27NOV06), the judge found Akard in violation of the restraining order, cited the retailer for contempt of court and threw him in jail, according to ERIN POWERS, a spokesman for Buffett's lawyer ANTHONY BUZBEE. A few hours later, Akard reached an out-of-court settlement with the hitmaker, in which he promised not to sell Buffett-labelled items in the future. The judge then allowed Akard to reopen his website, where he sells beach-themed merchandise.