MLS sues Black & Decker over trademark

Major League Soccer and its licensing arm Soccer United Marketing LLC initiated legal proceedings against Black & Decker Corp., alleging that the tool maker about to merge with The Stanley Works engaged in "ambush marketing" and trademark infringement, according to a court filing, Reuters reports.

In a suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Tuesday, the plaintiffs claimed that Black & Decker had "confused" Hispanic consumers into believing that its DeWalt brand was associated with the U.S. soccer league, Reuters said.

DeWalt, a brand of industrial power tools, is used largely by the construction and woodworking industries.

Representatives of Black & Decker could not be immediately reached for comment, Reuters said.

New Britain-based Stanley Works and Black & Decker, of Towson, Md., are merging to form Stanley Black & Decker.