Affiliated Studio Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, CA (September 28th, 2011) – Bikram Choudhury and Bikram’s Yoga College of India, L.P. have filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court, Central District of California against Yoga To The People, Inc,  a Washington corporation; Gregory Gumucio and others.

Among eight causes of action, the complaint alleges copyright infringement, trademark infringement, and false designation of origin, dilution, unfair competition, unfair business practices, breach of contract and inducing breach of contract.

According to the complaint, this action is brought to end defendants' blatant infringement of the copyrights and trademarks of Bikram Choudhury ("Bikram"), the world-renowned yoga guru who developed the unique brand of yoga known as “Bikram Yoga. Defendant Gumucio, a former Bikram trained teacher, owns defendant Yoga to the People ("YTTP").  YTTP offers a number of yoga classes, including a class named “Traditional Hot Yoga.”  Gumucio named the class "Traditional Hot Yoga" in order to conceal the fact that the class incorporates and infringes upon, among other things, Bikram's copyrighted Asana Sequence and Dialogue.  Moreover, the YTTP "Traditional Hot Yoga" class is taught in the same ambient environment as Bikram Yoga in order to give students the impression that the class offers the same experience and benefits a student would have at a Bikram Yoga studio. In addition, Gumucio has employed certified Bikram Yoga instructors and Bikram Yoga imposter instructors trained and purportedly certified by Gumucio to teach his deceptively named and infringing “Traditional Hot Yoga” class. 

The lawsuit adds that recently, Gumucio has justified his and YTTP’s blatant infringing conduct by likening himself to the "Napster, Inc. /Grokster, Ltd." of the hot yoga world. 

Gumucio and YTTP (a) do not own Bikram's IP; (b) have no right, title or interest in or to the Bikram Yoga style and method, including the Marks, the Dialogue or other of Bikram’s Copyrighted Works; and (c) are not authorized to offer the deceptively named and infringing "Traditional Hot Yoga" class at YTTP at any price whatsoever.  Moreover, the fact that Gumucio and YTTP publicly boast of their unlawful conduct even after being put on notice that the conduct is unlawful, unethical and immoral is proof positive that they show no remorse or intent of ending their unlawful conduct.  The lawsuit states that the Defendants have acted intentionally, willfully, maliciously, and with conscious indifference to the consequences, which actions and intentions constitute aggravating circumstances.  Thus, in addition to compensatory damages and a permanent injunction against Defendants, Bikram’s attorneys claim via the lawsuit that the conduct of the Defendants warrants, among other things, the award of punitive damages, attorney's fees and costs of suit. The action is brought to require the Defendants to answer for their despicable conduct and to pay the consequences of the same.

A Bikram Yoga Spokesperson indicates that there are ongoing investigations into other copy-cat yoga systems and that Bikram is more determined than ever to enforce his copyright and trademark rights and protect the certified Bikram yoga studios that are licensed to use his intellectual property and do so according to the rules. 

Any questions regarding the lawsuit should be directed to:
Legal & Public Affairs
Bikram Yoga Global Studio Support Center
HEADQUARTERS
11500 Olympic Boulevard, Suite 150
Los Angeles, CA 90064
USA
Office: (310) 854-5800
Tel Fax: (310) 622-1255
legal@bikramyoga.com
www.bikramyoga.com