Yates Mitsubishi sues Scottsdale Mitsubishi over yatesmitsubishi.com cybersquatting allegations

What was filed

YOF, Inc., d/b/a Yates Mitsubishi v. Mark Enterprises Car Co V, LLC, d/b/a Scottsdale Mitsubishi, No. 2:26-cv-07899 (D. Ariz.), was filed October 27, 2026 (13 pages). The case is assigned to Judge Steven P. Logan. The complaint says both parties are based in Arizona. (Compl. caption; paras. 2.1 to 2.3.)

The mark and domain

YOF alleges the Yates name is synonymous with auto sales in the greater Phoenix area and has acquired secondary meaning as "the Mark," and that the trade name Yates Mitsubishi is registered with the State of Arizona and owned by plaintiff. It alleges YatesMitsubishi.com and YatesFord.com were acquired anonymously, that Yates tried to buy the domain through a broker in 2023, and that after Yates became a direct competitor, Scottsdale Mitsubishi used yatesmitsubishi.com to host a mocked-up Yates Mitsubishi site whose inventory buttons link to Scottsdale Mitsubishi's own site. (Compl. paras. 4.1 to 4.18; n.2.)

What the complaint alleges

The complaint alleges the yatesmitsubishi.com site displays a Yates Mitsubishi logo, metadata, vehicle and financing advertising, and a 2026 Yates Mitsubishi copyright line, while giving a Phoenix street address that is not Yates's address and omitting Yates contact information. It alleges most links on the site direct consumers to the principal calls to action, which route to Scottsdale Mitsubishi inventory, with site content dated September 19, 2026, and a domain record updated September 20, 2026. It alleges Yates never authorized the registration or the site. (Compl. paras. 4.9 to 4.18.)

The counts and relief

Count 1 alleges false designation of origin and false association under 15 U.S.C. 1125(a). Count 2 alleges cybersquatting under 15 U.S.C. 1125(d). Count 3 alleges trademark infringement under state law. Count 4 alleges common law unfair competition. The prayer seeks injunctive relief, transfer of YatesMitsubishi.com, damages including statutory cybersquatting damages under 15 U.S.C. 1117(d), profits, costs, and fees. (Compl. Counts 1 to 4; Prayer.)