Mobile, Alabama – August 5, 2025 — The Alabama State Port Authority, which oversees operations at the Port of Mobile, has filed a federal lawsuit against a private developer over allegations of trademark infringement and cybersquatting.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, names the developers of the Port Alabama Industrial Center (PAIC) in Loxley, Alabama, accusing them of intentionally using branding that closely resembles that of the Port of Mobile. The complaint specifically targets the use of the name “Port Alabama” and the domain portalabama.com, which the Port Authority says is likely to confuse the public and falsely suggest an affiliation with the state-owned port.
According to the lawsuit, the Alabama State Port Authority asserts that the name and domain constitute a violation of the Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act (ACPA) and federal trademark law, claiming the developers acted in bad faith to benefit from the Port’s established reputation and brand equity.
The Port Authority claims it has received reports of confusion from stakeholders, including investors and businesses, who mistakenly believed that the Loxley-based project was directly connected to the Port of Mobile. The authority argues that this misperception could undermine its operations and economic development efforts.
As of August 5, the developers of the Port Alabama Industrial Center have not issued a public statement in response to the lawsuit.
The Port Authority is seeking injunctive relief to bar the use of the “Port Alabama” name and to require the transfer of the portalabama.com domain. It is also pursuing damages under federal trademark and cybersquatting statutes.
The Port of Mobile is a critical asset in Alabama’s logistics network and one of the fastest-growing seaports in the U.S. With ongoing investments in infrastructure and intermodal connectivity, state officials have emphasized the importance of protecting its brand from unauthorized use.
The case is pending in federal court and will likely proceed through preliminary hearings in the coming weeks.
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