RAPID CITY, S.D. — A federal judge has vacated a nearly $1 million trademark infringement award made to the owners of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally brand.

SMRI sued Walmart and a Rapid City retailer for improperly using the Sturgis trademark on merchandise. A jury awarded $912,500 to SMRI following a civil trial in October 2015.

Federal Judge Jeffrey Viken has upheld SMRI’s trademark rights, but set aside the jury award against the defendants.

Minneapolis attorney Aaron Davis represented Rushmore Photos & Gifts in Rapid City and Walmart. He says the ruling doesn’t mean the case is over, pending an appeal by the plaintiffs. But he tells the Rapid City Journal  the judge’s decision is “a huge burden off of our clients.”