The FyreTV Porn Streamer Maker Is Suing Amazon For Trademark Infringement

Remember the FyreTV? Probably not, but it was a media streamer, much like Amazon’s new FireTV streamer, that was released in 2008. Unlike Amazon’s FireTV, however, the FyreTV streams porn and only porn. And now the company behind the device is suing Amazon.

WREAL, LLC, makers of the FyreTV box, recently filed a complaint in a Florida court alleging five counts of unauthorized use and infringement upon Wreal’s FyreTV and FyreTV.com trademarks, reminding the courts that the two trademarks were registered six years prior to the Amazon Fire TV’s announcements. The court documents reveal Wreal’s contention that “Amazon’s continued use of the “Fire TV” moniker has caused, and will continue to cause, serious irreparable harm to Wreal’s established business, necessitating this action.”

Wreal points out in the initial complaint that the two products are very similar, noting that “the FireTV is nothing more than a proprietary STB that performs a substantially similar, if not identical, function to the proprietary STB marketed under the FyreTV trademark.” Both provide instant access to a massive library of streaming video content — one library just happens to feature a lot of nudity.

Carlos Nunez, an attorney at WNF Law, P.L. representing Wreal, tells TechCrunch this lawsuit is about fairness and avoiding losing the value of Wreal’s federally-registered trademarks. He says his client wants to protect its interest in its trademarks by keeping the public free from confusion and ensuring fair competition. Sure enough, with FireTV.com (NSFW) redirecting to FyreTV.com, it’s highly likely more than a few unsuspecting shoppers thought Amazon had gotten into the adult film business.

The two names are pronounced the same, and FyreTV owns FireTV.com, which is definitely a problem for Amazon. In fact, Wreal points out, when the term “FireTV” is searched for on the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS), FyreTV appears (although I was unable to recreate these results.) Essentially, Wreal alleges Amazon knowingly infringed on the FyreTV brand.

The complaint requests a jury trial with Wreal seeking damages for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition. The company wants Amazon to fork over the profits it earned “by its illegal use of the Fire TV name.”

Amazon did not respond to TechCrunch’s request for a comment.