PORTLAND (AP) – The case of Bob’s versus Bob’s entered Round 2 with Connecticut-based Bob’s Discount Furniture asking a federal judge to stop Lewiston-based Bob’s Discount Off-Price Superstores to stop using the Bob’s name – permanently.

Bob’s Discount Off-Price Superstores has been in business in communities across Maine for 12 years, selling furniture as well as tools. Last summer, the Connecticut-based company opened a store in South Portland, near the Maine Mall.

Last month, a federal judge in Portland allowed both to continue using their own names. But in the decision, Judge Gene Carter said the Maine chain of stores could not use the name, “Bob’s Discount Furniture and More.”

Now, the Connecticut Bob’s wants the Bob’s name all to itself and is seeking to permanently stop the Maine company from using the Bob’s name.

Todd Holbrook, attorney for the Connecticut Bob’s, said the company believes this is the next natural step after the court’s decision.

The problem, he said, is that there has been confusion among customers and manufacturers stemming from the similar names. Sara Tracy, another lawyer for the Connecticut Bob’s, said the sides hope to resolve those issues in a settlement.

Bob Farris, lawyer for the Maine Bob’s, said the case hinges on the question of who had the name for a longer continuous period of time.

The Connecticut company has had Bob’s Discount Furniture trademarked since 1996, and has stores throughout southern New England.

The Maine Bob’s has had locations across the state since 1991, and is now in Lewiston, Windham and Scarborough, among other communities. But the judge has found that the company has not had a continuous location over the years.

Farris said the Maine Bob – Bob Dinan – isn’t going to give up the name without a fight. “Bob is Bob’s Discount. He’s a seven-days-a-week kind of guy who still delivers the furniture himself,” Farris said.

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