Worldata May Sue Panama List Firm

List company Worldata is considering legal action against a firm in Panama that calls itself World Data Corp., including a possible trademark infringement suit.

The firm billing itself as World Data Corp. sent an e-mail blast last month promoting its targeted e-mail list.

Boca Raton, FL-based Worldata, which manages and brokers e-mail and postal files, contacted its attorney.


Worldata May Sue Panama List Firm

List company Worldata is considering legal action against a firm in Panama that calls itself World Data Corp., including a possible trademark infringement suit.

World Data Corp. sent an e-mail blast on Monday promoting its targeted e-mail list.

Boca Raton, FL-based Worldata, which manages and brokers e-mail and postal files, contacted its law firm Berger Singerman in Boca Raton.

“When people see this, they will think it’s us,” said Jay Schwedelson, corporate vice president of Worldata. “This is an absolute infringement on our federal registration.”

Worldata’s attorney Jerome L. Wolf said that his firm has been unable to locate the firm. An 800 number in the e-mail is answered by a recorded message. No Web site can be found.

Wolf said that if he is able to reach World Data Corp., a phone call may stop the company from operating under that name, but “we will take whatever action is necessary.” That action might include a trademark infringement suit or other action, he added.

Another complication is that Panama is not subject to U.S. laws. “It’s like chasing any of these offshore companies that send spam into the U.S. — there’s not a lot that can be done,” Schwedelson said.

Worldata won a trademark suit against World Data Network in May. “We set a precedent that whether it’s one word or two, with one ‘d’ or two, it’s in violation of our registration,” Schwedelson said.