***MEDIA ALERT***

PRESS RELEASE
GNC SUES LOCAL BROWARD PAWNBROKER GNCPAWN.COM OVER ALLEGED TRADEMARK DILUTION IN A CLASSIC DAVID VS. GOLIATH SHOWDOWN
What: Douglas J. Jeffrey, Esq., attorney for Gold N Connection, LLC d/b/a GNCPAWN.COM and GNC Pawn, hereby issues the companys formal statement in response to the federal lawsuit filed in Broward County, Florida by GNC, the multinational manufacturer and distributor of vitamins and dietary supplements, against local pawnbroker Gold N Connection, LLC d/b/a GNCPAWN.COM and GNC Pawn, over alleged trademark dilution and due to publicity surrounding the incident.

In a classic case of David vs. Goliath, General Nutrition Centers (GNC) has filed a trademark dilution lawsuit in federal court against a small, family-owned company of local pawnshops, known as GNC Pawn and GNCPAWN.COM, which are owned by Gold N Connection, LLC. GNCPAWN.COM operates 5 pawnshops located in Broward County, as well as an online store, GNCPAWN.COM. The company, which employs thirteen people, is a family business owned and operated by Joshua Davis, Adam Davis, and their father, Jeffrey Davis. Although GNCPAWN.COM was formed in 2007 to segue into the Florida market, several generations of the Davis family have been involved in the pawnbroker industry for the last 6 decades in the State of New York. GNCs business operations involve more than 8,100 retail locations spanning 6 continents and billions of dollars in sales, according to its lawsuit. GNC manufactures and sells vitamins and nutritional and dietary supplements. GNCs lawsuit takes aim at both GNCPAWN.COM and the pawn shop industry as a whole. It claims that the GNCPAWN.COM mark threatens the GNC mark, and that the disputed similarities

are likely to dilute the GNC trademark and affect GNCs reputation. GNCPAWN.COM denies the allegations. Joshua Davis, one of the founders of GNCPAWN.COM, stated that GNC is delusional if it believes that the public will be confused into thinking that GNCPAWN.COM sells vitamins or dietary supplements. Were just a small family owned pawnshop. How did GNC conclude that GNCPAWN.COM may blur GNCs distinctiveness? Its like they have nothing better to do than put down the little guy? In rejecting GNCs claims, Joshua Davis also stated, The fonts and typefaces are completely different, and it is abundantly clear that were GNCPAWN.COM and not a vitamin retailer named GNC. That is probably why nobody has ever come into a GNCPAWN.COM store asking to buy vitamins or dietary supplements, and I suspect nobody ever will. Not surprisingly, we do not sell nutritional products. Adam Davis stated Pawnshops provide a valuable service to the community, especially during times of economic turmoil. We lend money to people who have no other quick access to cash and provide them short term loans so that they can feed their families, pay their rent, and keep the electricity on. Our stores are also a great place to shop, whether you are on a tight budget or you simply want a great deal on jewelry, tools, electronics, or musical instruments. In these troubled times, GNCPAWN.COM contributes to the communities we serve. Joshua Davis also stated I really dont understand why GNC would attack the reputation of the pawn industry, much less a reputable family-run operation like GNCPAWN.COM. In particular we have consistently made significant financial contributions to numerous local charities. GNCPAWN.COM has a great reputation in this community. We give back and help people in need.

GNC claims to have developed an excellent reputation with the consuming public, yet GNCs lawsuit, in attacking the overall reputation of the pawnbroker industry, failed to recognize that GNC has been consistently attacked in numerous, high profile lawsuits over supplements which were heavily marketed and sold at GNC stores based on claims that they misleadingly marketed dangerous supplements of allegedly questionable value and failed to warn its customers of potential health risks. Lawsuits filed this year against GNC, including a wrongful death claim brought by a deceased soldiers family (Jack3d), and a putative class action claiming false advertising (Triflex), also remain pending at this time. According to GNCs 2012 end of the year filings with the S.E.C., approximately 73 lawsuits were pending against GNC relating to its Hydroxycut sales alone, in addition to other unspecified cases against GNC relating to product liability and other legal disputes. Additionally, GNC is currently defending several other lawsuits alleging violations of federal labor laws in its employment practices, and it has also defended claims brought by certain GNC franchisees. Notably, in 1994, the Federal Trade Commission levied a $2.4 Million fine against GNC for deceptive claims regarding at least 40 other products sold at its GNC stores. Douglas J. Jeffrey, GNCPAWN.COMs attorney, stated: This lawsuit presents a classic case of David and Goliath. GNCs shameful intimidation tactics will not be tolerated by GNCPAWN.COM. We will vigorously defend this meritless lawsuit. CONTACT INFORMATION: LAW OFFICES OF DOUGLAS J. JEFFREY, P.A.
Attorneys At Law 6625 Miami Lakes Drive East Suite 379 Miami Lakes, Florida 33014 (305) 828-4744 dj@jeffreylawfirm.com