Botanical Extract Maker Wins Trademark Infringement Suit

The U.S. Supreme Court has let stand a lower court ruling that Creative Compounds’ product name Forsthin violated Sabinsa Corp.’s trademark ForsLean by creating confusion in the marketplace. Both products are extracts of coleus forskohlii, an Asian plant used to treat high blood pressure and other ailments. The ruling by the lower court stated that “the ForsLean mark is commercially strong” and “accordingly, this factor favors Sabinsa as a matter of law." Sabinsa markets more than 100 standardized botanical extracts and has funded several clinical studies in support of its products. Sabinsa founder Muhammed Majeed said: “It is so important to the future of our industry that companies that make such investments are protected from infringement."