NFPA AND ICC SETTLE TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT CONERNING ‘INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE’

QUINCY, Mass.
Published: December 19, 1999

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Code Council (ICC) have settled a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by ICC against NFPA.  In May 1999, ICC filed a suit against NFPA alleging trademark infringement and other claims arising out of NFPA’s use of the name “International Electrical Code.”  In response, NFPA brought counterclaims against ICC and its constituent organizations – Building Officials and Code Administrators Intl. Inc. (BOCA), International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and Southern Building Code Congress Intl. (SBCCI) – alleging that ICC’s use of “International Electrical Code” infringed NFPA’s trademark in the name.  In the settlement, NFPA recognizes that ICC is the exclusive owner of a family of trademarks in the form of “International (blank) Code.”  In addition, ICC and its constituent organizations recognize that NFPA is the exclusive worldwide owner of “International Electrical Code.”  The agreement involves no monetary settlement or admission of liability by any party.

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