Expertise

Setting precedents

The firm represented Ballester Hermanos, Inc. in the multimillion dollar Law 75 case of Ballester Hermanos, Inc. vs. Campbell Soup Company, tried before the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. The Court?s Opinion and Order on the issue of the extent of compensation to which the distributor is entitled has become a landmark decision in Puerto Rico’s distribution law.

Other leading precedents in which the firm has prominently participated are:

Julsrud v. Peche de P.R. Inc., 115 DPR 18 (1984) — Claim for defects under Commerce Code

Blasini v. Beechnut Life Savers, 104 DPR 570 (1976) — Lease provisions

Arroyo v. Rattan, 117 DPR 35 (1986) 117 DPR 35 (1986)

Aquellos Aseguradores de Lloyd’s of London v. Compañía de Desarrollo Comercial de P.R., 90 JTS 60 — Construction litigation

Futurama Imports v. Trans Caribbean, 104 DPR 609 — Insurance law

Alicea v. Córdova, 117 DPR 676 – Incostitutionality of Statute of Limitation — medical malpractice

Anti-piracy enforcement

For over ten years Reichard & Calaf, P.S.C. has been in charge of enforcing in Puerto Rico the anti-piracy video program of the Motion Picture Association of America. Members of the firm have successfully litigated numerous copyright infringement actions against video store owners and distributors engaged in counterfeiting activities.

Solid Background on Trademark and Intellectual Property Issues

Leading cases in which the firm has participated include:

Garriga Trading Co. v. Century Packing, 197 DPR 519 (1978), 197 DPR 519 (1978)

Keebler Co. v. Rovira Biscuit Corp, 642 F.2d. 366 (1st Cir. 1980), 642 F.2d. 366 (1st Cir. 1980)

Colgate Palmolive v. Mistolín, 117 DPR 313; , 117 DPR 313;

Jordan K. Rand v. Lazoff, 537 F. Supp. 587 (1982), 537 F. Supp. 587 (1982)

Geoffrey, Inc. v. Toys R’ Us, 756 F. Supp. 661 (DCPR 1991)

The firm has also had prominent participation in a substantial number of legal actions for counterfeiting and other trademark infringement actions on behalf of high profile clients such as The Monsanto Co., Cartier, Pepe Clothing U.S.A., Adidas, American Home Products and Coldwell Banker.