The lawsuit was filed this week in federal court in Cincinnati by Intelligent Products Inc., whose plastic Mutt Mitts are dispensed from pole-mounted boxes along sidewalks and in parks. It accuses Chicago-based Cygany of selling copycat poop-snatchers.

"Cygany is attempting to capitalize on IPI's good reputation and the success of the Mutt Mitt product by offering for sale and selling a knock-off pick-up mitt," states the complaint filed by lawyer Ann Robinson of Frost Brown Todd.

The suit states that consumers of pet litter disposal products recognize the two-ply, plastic Mutt Mitt for its high quality and, without going into detail, calls the Cygany poop mitt "inferior." It says Cygany even instructs consumers how to load its products into Mutt Mitt dispensers.

The aluminum Mutt Mitt dispensers are sold on the Web site www.muttmitts.com for $59.50 and are available through pet supply stores. The company also sells refill kits and boxes and dispensers for home use.

In Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, the outdoor dispensers can be found at the Mount Airy Forest dog park and Hyde Park Square as well as other parks in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Kenton County, Anderson Township, Symmes Township and Montgomery.

"We sell them to parks all across the country - state parks, national parks and dog parks," said Charlie Hotchkiss, marketing director for Intelligent Products. "We also have them in apartment complexes and gated communities. There are thousands and thousands of them out there. California is a big state for us. So is the East."

Intelligent Products wants an injunction and unspecified damages. Asked to comment on the suit Wednesday, Cygany wouldn't touch it.

E-mail jmcnair@enquirer.com