Federal judge dismisses Trader Joe’s trademark suit against union

A U.S. district judge has dismissed Trader Joe’s trademark-infringement lawsuit against Trader Joe’s United, the independent union formed by the grocery chain’s crew members, removing a major legal claim the company used against union activity. The judge’s order, released in a union press statement on Jan. 14, 2026, found no likelihood of consumer confusion between union merchandise and Trader Joe’s products and dismissed the case “in its entirety.”

Judge Hernán D. Vera’s ruling framed the lawsuit in the context of labor unrest, calling the company’s filing “undoubtedly related to an existing labor dispute.” The opinion also suggested the timing of the filing coincided with organizing activity at the chain, language the union highlighted when it reproduced key excerpts from the order in its release.

Trader Joe’s United welcomed the dismissal and urged the company to shift from litigation to the bargaining table, pressing Trader Joe’s to negotiate in good faith rather than pursue legal avenues against its crew. The union’s press release linked to the full judge’s order and provided contact information for its press representative.

The ruling matters to workers because trademark claims have become a tool employers can use to target organizing efforts, particularly when unions sell shirts, stickers, and other merchandise that identify and fund local campaigns. By finding no risk of consumer confusion, the court removed a legal obstacle that could have chilled the union’s ability to use branded items as part of outreach and fundraising. For crew members already engaged in organizing drives, the decision may ease one source of pressure and signal that courts will scrutinize lawsuits tied to labor disputes.

The case also alters workplace dynamics by shifting the spotlight from courtroom tactics back to workplace negotiations. The judge’s characterization of the suit as tied to labor activity reinforces the union’s argument that the company’s response to organizing should be resolved through bargaining and labor law processes rather than brand litigation. That framing could shape how managers and regional leaders approach organizing campaigns and communications with crew.

What comes next is likely to play out on the shop floor and in regional labor relations rather than in federal court. The union has called for good-faith negotiations, and crew members watching local drives will be looking to see whether Trader Joe’s changes its approach. For workers, the decision is a reminder that legal strategy can influence organizing momentum, and that courtroom victories can translate into renewed leverage at the bargaining table and in stores.