11/16/2011 // WPB, FL, USA // Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley

Miami, FL — Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino of MTV’s hit TV show the “Jersey Shore” has filed a lawsuit against retailer Abercrombie & Fitch for an alleged publicity stunt in order to sell the retailer’s clothes with Sorrentino’s catch phrases used in the show, reported MSNBC.

The lawsuit was filed in a federal court in southern Florida by Sorrentino and his company, MPS Entertainment.

The lawsuit was filed after A&F publicly stated in August that they would pay the reality TV show cast members not to wear their clothing. Sorrentino asserts that the offer was false. Sorrentino reportedly never received an offer, nor did a representative ever communicate that to Sorrentino.

But, A&F stated that they were “deeply concerned” that Sorrentino “could cause significant damage” to its brand’s “aspirational nature,” MSNBC reported.

“Starting in August 2011, Defendant (the company) embarked on a grand, worldwide advertising campaign using Sorrentino’s name, image and likeness to create brand awareness for its products by falsely claiming that Defendant had offered money to Sorrentino if he would stop wearing Defendant’s goods,” the lawsuit read.

The lawsuit is also going after A&F T-shirt designs that feature phrases like “The Fitchuation” and “GTL… You Know The Deal.” Abercrombie & Fitch “obviously intended to create a false association” with the “Jersey Shore” star when it released it’s statement in August, MSNBC reported.

In 2009, Sorrentino and MPS Entertainment trademarked “The Situation” and “GTL,” which is an acronym for gym, tan, laundry.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for trademark infringement lawyers.

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