Twin Cities cycling legend Greg LeMond has won a federal restraining order against a father and son accused of gobbling up dozens of internet domain names that play off LeMond's name and his carbon-fiber technology business.
LeMond, who lives in Medina, has sued longtime marketer Frederick H. Stinchfield and Frederick H. Stinchfield III in federal court in Minneapolis for upward of $6.6 million.
He is alleging that the two are "cybersquatters," having taken control of 66 web addresses using the three-time Tour de France champion's trademarked name and business, called Grail. Examples include lemondgrail.com and grailcarbon.us.
U.S. District Judge John Tunheim's temporary restraining order bars the Stinchfields, who live in Orono, from registering any additional domain names tied to the 56-year-old LeMond or his business, or transferring or selling the ones they control.
When asked for a reaction to the allegations, the elder Stinchfield said Monday afternoon, "I do not believe any of our family intends to make a formal comment on the matter at this time."
In August 2016, LeMond announced a business venture involving the development and sale of low-cost carbon fiber. He's marketing the product under the Grail trademark and through his LeMond Cos. and LeMond Composites, according to his application for the restraining order.
Within two months of the announcement, the disputed domain names were registered by the father and his son, who never had any commercial connection to the retired cyclist's name or the name of his business, LeMond is alleging.
Further, according to the lawsuit, the Stinchfields run a website titled "LeMond Industries," which features the athlete's likeness, name and "derogatory information" about his name and business. The website also has advertising that presumably generates revenue for the father and son, and also an offer to sell the "cybersquatted" domain names in violation of the federal Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act, the suit continues.
