A Tennessee woman will be footing a hefty bill for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist’s (ARRT) attorney fees after a court ruled that the individual “knowingly and intentionally misused the ARRT trademarks.” 

In December 2022, the ARRT filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Lemesha Cannon, also known by the name Lori Ann Cannon, in a Tennessee District Court. The registry accused Cannon of knowingly and intentionally misusing ARRT trademarks to obtain employment. 

In October, Cannon was found guilty of falsely holding herself as an ARRT-certified technologist. At that time, the ARRT filed a motion requesting that Cannon be required to pay the organization’s attorney fees, which add up to nearly $55,000, related to the case. 

For trademark cases, attorney fees can be rewarded “if the infringement is malicious, fraudulent, willful, or deliberate.” The court ruled that Cannon’s actions met the criteria, as she "proceeded to commit new wrongful acts of infringement” even after being made aware of the suit against her. 

“Given that the fraud perpetrated by the defendant also places her in medical jobs that have the ability to affect individuals' health, the court could go as far as finding the defendant's actions malicious,” court documents read. “Especially given the ability of those actions to put the health of others at risk.” 

Not only was ARRT’s request that Cannon pay all the organization’s attorney fees related to the case granted, but a permanent injunction against her was granted as well.