Michigan sues apparel company over M22 highway trademark

The state of Michigan has sued a local apparel company, alleging it violated state and federal law by trademarking the M-22 highway symbol.

MLive reports that the state’s legal action is in response to M22 LLC’s creation of items that display the sign of the popular and scenic Northern Michigan highway.

The state says the law doesn’t allow registration of the state’s road signs and that trademarks make the highway non-compliant with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Device.

Attorney General Bill Schuette said in a 2012 opinion that no entity can claim exclusive control over Michigan’s highway route marker design because it’s in the public domain and not subject to trademark law protection.

Traverse City attorney John Di Giacomo says the lawsuit is an act of desperation by the state.  (AP)