Merchant & Gould, an intellectual property law firm, today announced that its client Advantus Capital Management, Inc. won a preliminary injunction prohibiting Aetna's use of the federally-registered and trademarked "Advantus" mark. Judge James Rosenbaum in Minnesota Federal District Court issued the injunction this week. Advantus Capital Management, Inc. and Advantus Series Fund, Inc. of St. Paul filed the complaint after Aetna announced plans to launch a new business unit called Advantus. In its complaint, Advantus Capital Management claimed that the Aetna unit's use of the "Advantus" mark would result in confusion and cause irreparable harm.

"We have invested heavily in our brand and have a well established reputation for our experience, a diligent investment process, exceptional client relationships and consistent product performance," said Dianne Orbison, president of Advantus Capital Management. "It is important that we defend our brand and eliminate any source of confusion about who we are and what we stand for."