Court Dismisses Gold Banc Corp Suit Against CUNA

WASHINGTON – Now really may be the right time to “switch” as a federal judge has dismissed a trademark infringement lawsuit brought against CUNA and its national branding campaign by Leawood, Kansas-based Gold Banc Corp. In 2001 Gold Banc filed suit against CUNA claiming the brand slogan “America’s Credit Unions: Where People Are Worth More than Money,” was a trademark infringement of Gold Banc’s slogan, “More Than Money.” CUNA had argued the credit union brand slogan was distinct and would not cause marketplace confusion; further pointing out CUNA’s outside trademark attorney as well as the U.S. Patent and Trademark office had reviewed and raised no objection to the brand slogan. “The judge’s order means total victory for the National Credit Union Brand Campaign. Credit unions are free to use the brand mark without fear of further harassment from Gold Banc and our side of the case has been completely vindicated, as we had expected from the outset,” said CUNA General Counsel Eric Richard. Gold Banc agreed to the dismissal of the case with prejudice, meaning that it has permanently abandoned claims against the National CU Brand slogan. Gold Banc and CUNA earlier had agreed to file a request with a court that the case be dismissed. This followed allegations that Gold Banc’s then-CEO had misappropriated $2.5 million in bank funds.