Edit*: We previously reported there was a lawsuit filed against Fratello but Arnold Serafin clarified one hasn’t be filed yet.
Today, we received a statement from Arnold Serafin of Serafin de Cuba Cigars accusing Fratello Cigars of trademark infringement on his brand “La Floridana”. Serafin de Cuba is a small locally owned shop and factory based in Tampa, Florida. This could lead to a possible lawsuit.
Serafin claims that Fratello has begun to market the brand called “La Floridan” and that he has made multiple attempts to contact Omar de Frias, owner of Fratello, and since he hasn’t heard back, he has contacted the US Trademark office who Serafin claims has canceled the Fratello trademark.
In his statement, Arnold Serafin said;
“After much time and countless letters and conversations over the course of more than a year, I am now letting everyone know that one of my trademarked brands of cigars has been copied and a knockoff version called “La Floridan” has been made.
We have no affiliation with this other brand or company (Fratello Cigars) The US trademark office cancelled this other company’s application due to likelihood of confusion with my brand. I own the Federal trademark to my brand and will defend it above all knockoffs. The company who is making the knockoff has no regard for intellectual property and for doing the right thing, and has made this quite evident to me during several conversations. I am now taking this to social media to let everyone know the truth.
I have also sent letters to ABC liquors to let them know they are engaging in a trademark infringed product. I hope everyone shares this and word gets out, I was trying to avoid this but since nothing has gotten resolved I must defend my brand.”
Smokin Tabacco contacted Omar de Frias for comment who said, “Fratello Cigars denies these unfounded allegations. The USPTO has not cancelled our trademark.”
This is still a developing story and more updates will be available when we know more.
