Where Does Trademark Infringement Tort Occur For Venue Purposes?

Where the trademark owner resides, at least under Florida's long-arm statute:

Under Florida's long-arm statute, Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction where it commits a “tortious act within th[e district].” § 48.193(1)(a)(2), Fla. Stat. Trademark infringement is considered a tortious act under Florida's long-arm statute, Mighty Men of God, Inc. v. World Outreach Church of Murfreesboro Tenn., Inc., 6:14-cv-947-Orl-41TBS, 2015 WL 1534446, at 3 (M.D. Fla. Apr. 6, 2015), and is deemed to take place where the trademark owner resides, Nida Corp. v. Nida, 118 F. Supp. 2d 1223, 1228 (M.D. Fla. 2000).  Because the true owner of the trademark and trade dress at issue is disputed among the parties, Plaintiff is credited as the trademark holder for the purposes of determining venue.  Because Plaintiff resides in the Middle District, the tortious act of trademark infringement is deemed to have occurred here.   Thus the Middle District has personal jurisdiction over Defendant under Florida’s long-arm statute.

Motion to dismiss or transfer, denied.
Tile World Corp. v. Miavana & Family, Inc., Case No. 6:15-CV-919 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 2, 2015) (J. Antoon)