Red Wing Stoneware, collectors settle suit

A trademark battle involving the historic Red Wing Stoneware Company and complaints of harassment has ended in a settlement.

Red Wing Stoneware had sued a collectors' group that runs a pottery museum in the southeast Minnesota community. The lawsuit alleged the collectors infringed on company trademarks. After filing suit, Red Wing Stoneware co-owner Bruce Johnson complained of threats and harassment. Now he says the settlement is a positive for the company, the collectors and the community.

"This gives us good hope for a fresh start, and enables both organizations to move forward in directions that they wanted to pursue," said Johnson.

David Hallstrom, president of the collectors' group, said the settlement is a good agreement for both sides.

"We're very pleased with the settlement," said Hallstrom. "And it reflects the fact that we did nothing wrong. We're not required to change any of our behavior going forward."

The settlement bars the collectors' group from using four company logos. The collectors say they never used the symbols in the first place.