What was filed
The complaint is Document 1 in The Hartz Mountain Corporation v. TheBetterBuy Sales LLC d/b/a Amazon Seller TheBetterBuy, No. 1:26-cv-14230 (D. Mass.), filed September 15, 2026. It runs 15 pages. The docket shows the case assigned to Judge Allison D. Burroughs, with Magistrate Judge Jessica D. Hedges for any referred matter. Hartz is described as a New Jersey corporation based in Secaucus, New Jersey, and the defendant as a Texas limited liability company based in Tyler, Texas.
The marks
The complaint lists eight registrations as the Hartz Marks: Nos. 8,161,502; 7,693,698; 6,318,647; 3,222,910; 0,993,444; 0,993,373; 1,017,875; and 0,943,059. USPTO TSDR lists each as owned by The Hartz Mountain Corporation; seven are for HARTZ, and No. 7,693,698 is for DELECTABLES, for edible pet treats.
What the complaint alleges
The complaint alleges, on information and belief, that the defendant is not an authorized Hartz reseller and sells Hartz products on Amazon under the seller name TheBetterBuy, advertising them as in new condition, when the products it delivers are used or returned products in damaged condition or products bought at liquidation. It alleges that consumers are confused and have been actually confused by those sales.
Claims and relief
The three counts are false advertising under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), false designation of origin under 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a), and unfair competition under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 93A. The complaint seeks injunctive relief and damages. The docket shows an affidavit of service and a notice of appearance filed October 9, 2026, and an order on a motion to extend the time to answer entered October 20, 2026. The parallel suit against another Amazon seller is No. 1:26-cv-14228, filed the same day on the same claims.