Judge throws out Cheesehead lawsuit
MILWAUKEE — A federal judge who found holes in the Cheesehead copyright has thrown out Foamation Inc.'s lawsuit against a competitor.
Foamation, the Milwaukee-based manufacturer of a polyurethane foam, wedge-of-cheese-shaped hat called the Cheesehead, filed suit last fall against Scofield Souvenir & Post Card Co., alleging trademark and copyright violation. Scofield, based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., makes a similiar product known as Cheese Top.
In dismissing the suit against Scofield recently, U.S. District Judge William Callahan Jr. in Milwaukee cited Foamation's improper copyright procedure and its lack of a trademark.
Scofield has two countersuits pending against Foamation, the first pertaining to copyright infringement and the second regarding letters Foamation sent to Scofield's customers, according to Scofield owner Tom Wedeward.
``They did not have a copyright,'' Wedeward said. ``I do have a copyright on it.''
According to Wedeward, the suits were filed two months after Foamation filed suit. Scofield claims that it bought its Cheese Top copyright from the inventor of the idea. The simulated cheese product is made from an injection molded foam.
Foamation refused to comment.
EMF to add presses at Kentucky facility
BURKESVILLE, KY. — EMF Corp. plans to add injection molding in early 1998 at its new Burkesville wire assembly plant.
EMF began assembling wire harnesses and similar electrical products Aug. 11 at Burkesville, said Richard Poe, owner, president and founder. The company purchases wire and sources other components from its operations in Angola, Ind., where it is based; Hamilton, Ind.; and De Kalb, Miss.
Poe said his firm plans to buy vertical shuttle presses in the 30-to 50-ton range for insert molding. Officials have not finalized suppliers and other details, but EMF estimates it will invest more than $1 million in the project, including the recent acquisition of a 24,000-square-foot building in Burkesville. EMF qualifies for tax credits under Kentucky's Rural Economic Development Act. It expects to employ about 50.
Poe founded EMF 27 years ago and grew its sales to more than $10 million annually, he said.
