Iowa advocates for the mentally ill face off in court over 'unfair competition' claim

A dispute over how Iowans’ charitable contributions are used has led to a court battle between advocates for the mentally ill, with a Des Moines organization accused of unfair competition.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, a Virginia-based nonprofit, is suing Mindspring Mental Health Alliance, an Iowa nonprofit known for years as the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Des Moines.

The two organizations once worked in concert with each other, but differences over the way charitable contributions are spent prompted the Des Moines group to sever ties with NAMI in February. NAMI is now accusing the Des Moines organization of trademark infringement, unfair competition, false representation, and false advertising.

NAMI, which is the largest mental health advocacy organization in the United States, has more than 600 local affiliates and 48 state organizations that try to raise awareness of mental health issues and provide services to those with mental illness.

Read more: https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2021/10/08/iowa-advocates-for-the-mentally-ill-face-off-in-court-over-unfair-competition-claim/