Dells tourist attraction sued over lumberjack show

A Florida-based company has filed a lawsuit against the owners of Paul Bunyan’s Northwoods Lumberjack Show in Wisconsin Dells.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, says the owners of the restaurant and lumberjack show are infringing on a trademark linked to lumberjack entertainment branded with Paul Bunyan.

According to court documents, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show Inc. acquired a federal service mark last year for “entertainment services in the nature of lumberjack shows.”

Part of the lawsuit involves cybersquatting, claiming the Dells-based Bunyan show’s Internet domain name helps the company cash in on something that’s too close to the trademarked name. The address for the Dells lumberjack show is www.dellslumberjackshow.com, while the Florida-based show’s URL address is www.lumberjackent.com.

Court documents also mention the use of videos on the Wisconsin shanty and show’s website that closely resemble the likeness of the show the company down south takes around the country. Both companies’ videos feature performers participating in chopping, sawing and log-rolling competitions.

Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show Inc. is calling on the show in the Dells to “cease promotion of entertainment in the nature of lumberjack shows and live performances,” including the online videos. The lawsuit also calls for the payment of unspecified damages, among other costs.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, the owners of Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty in the Dells said they can’t comment on the details of the lawsuit but are hopeful it will be resolved soon.

“We don’t believe anyone could confuse our show, which is permanently located here at the Cook Shanty, with a traveling operation from Florida,” the Dells company said. “In fact, that’s the last thing we would want, since we’re understandably proud of our heritage.”

The attorney representing the Florida-based company did not get back to News 3 with a statement Wednesday.