J&J, Red Cross patch up red cross dispute

The American Red Cross and Johnson & Johnson have ended the legal dispute over their use of the red cross emblem.

The pharmaceutical giant and medical relief organization, both have which have used the emblem for more than 100 years, will both be able to use it, a U.S. District Court ruled Tuesday.

J&J brought a trademark infringement lawsuit against the American Red Cross last August. According to the lawsuit, J&J has used the symbol on its products since 1887 and made an agreement with the American Red Cross in 1895 that the company had the exclusive right to use the emblem for its products. A 1900 Congressional charter granted the relief organization the right to use it for its relief work.