Taran Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations filed a lawsuit against Shawn Ryan, Jon Howard, and Vigilance Elite in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles on April 22, 2019. The lawsuit alleges that Ryan and Howard breached a contract with Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations by using their names and likeness without permission in marketing materials for Vigilance Elite. The lawsuit also alleges that Ryan and Howard defamed Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations by making false and misleading statements about them.
The lawsuit is still pending, and no trial date has been set.
Here are the specific allegations in the lawsuit:
- In 2017, Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations entered into a contract with Ryan and Howard to provide training and equipment to Vigilance Elite.
- The contract gave Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations the right to approve all marketing materials for Vigilance Elite that used their names or likeness.
- Ryan and Howard breached the contract by using Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations’ names and likeness in marketing materials without their permission.
- The marketing materials falsely and misleadingly implied that Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations endorsed Vigilance Elite.
- The false and misleading statements damaged the reputation of Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations.
Butler and Taran Tactical Innovations are seeking damages for breach of contract, defamation, and intentional interference with economic relations.
The lawsuit is still pending, and it is not clear how it will be resolved. However, it is a reminder of the importance of carefully drafting contracts and protecting one’s intellectual property rights.
