That number pales when compared to the more than $1m Hallatt says he has spent at Trader Joe’s locations in the US, in order to supply Vancouver residents with goods that are not sold in their country. So he has turned to the internet, launching a crowdfunding campaign on the platform Crowd Justice, seeking $250,000.
For Pirate Joe’s to have a fighting chance against one of the most popular grocery stores in the US, its founder, Mike Hallatt, needs to raise some serious money. The case is set to go to trial in November. Pirate Joe’s buys Trader Joe’s products, smuggles them across the border to Vancouver, and sells them.
The company claims a rebel Canadian grocery operation called Pirate Joe’s is violating its trademark.
