John I. Wilson

I was named in a federal lawsuit filed by this law firm on behalf of Grumpy Cat Ltd., claiming trademark infringement based on a design I uploaded to Redbubble. The image — a stylised, cartoon-like pattern I obtained from a licensed design platform — was titled “Grumpy Cat Pattern.” It was never mark...eted as affiliated with the Grumpy Cat brand, nor did it resemble the company’s trademarked image in any significant way. Here’s the troubling part: the design was online for years and had only one sale, which occurred immediately before the lawsuit was filed. This sale triggered the inclusion of my shop in a mass default action, leading to serious questions about whether the purchase was intentionally staged by or for the Plaintiff to create grounds for litigation — a classic sign of legal entrapment. Despite being based overseas, I was never properly served or made aware of the lawsuit. My first communication from the attorneys came months after the case had already progressed in court, leaving me without a chance to defend myself. Emails I sent requesting clarification were ignored until I filed a formal response in court. Even more troubling, funds were removed from my PayPal account without prior notice, and shortly after that, the attorneys contacted me to propose a “settlement,” without disclosing the legal status of the case or any previous enforcement action already taken. This approach — involving mass filings, lack of transparency, ignored communication, premature fund seizures, and vague settlement offers — raises very serious ethical and procedural concerns. I have submitted a formal complaint to the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission and believe this firm’s practices should be reviewed by legal and consumer watchdogs. If you're a small business owner, creator, or international seller, be cautious. What happened to me could happen to anyone.