trademark violation

18 Stories

Taco Bell on Trademark War: 'Taco Tuesday' Belongs to All

Fast-food giant asks Patent and Trademark Office to force smaller chain to give up rights to the term

(Newser) - Declaring a mission to liberate "Taco Tuesday" for all, Taco Bell is asking US regulators to force Wyoming-based Taco John's to abandon its long-standing claim to the trademark. Too many businesses and others refer to "Taco Tuesday" for Taco John's to be able to have exclusive...

Baghdad's 'Starbucks' Points to Growing Problem in Iraq

Country is a hub for trademark violation, costing companies billions

(Newser) - Everything from the signboard outside down to the napkins bears the official emblem of the top international coffee chain. But in Baghdad, looks are deceiving: The "Starbucks" in the Iraqi capital is unlicensed. Real Starbucks merchandise is imported from neighboring countries to stock the three cafes in the city,...

Judge Tosses Girl Scouts' Suit Arguing Branding Confusion

Boy Scouts can avoid gender references by using 'scouting,' ruling says

(Newser) - Update: The Girl Scouts have lost the legal argument that its brand and recruiting efforts have been damaged by the wording used by Boy Scouts in marketing. Because Boy Scouts are entitled to leave gender out of it by using "scouting" and similar terms, "there are no issues...

Ringo: OK, I'll Let This Sex Toy Be Called 'Ring O'

Ex-Beatle ends trademark battle over penis ring with similar-sounding name

(Newser) - Hear "Ringo Starr," and the first words you may associate with him are "the Beatles," "drummer," maybe "Octopus's Garden" —but probably not "penis rings." The 80-year-old star wanted to keep it that way, which is why he filed a...

He Was Fired by His Dad. Now He Can't Use His Own Name

George Sink Jr. temporarily blocked from using name to market new firm after father's lawsuit

(Newser) - A South Carolina attorney is unable to use his own name to market his law firm after he was sued by his father. George Sink Jr. worked for personal injury lawyer George Sink Sr.—whose TV ads and billboards have made him famous across the state—for just shy...

Coffee Shop: Big Company Has 'Ridiculous' Claim on Word 'Cat'

Cat and Cloud Coffee is pushing back on Caterpillar's trademark infringement claim

(Newser) - The world of copyright and trademark infringement is a tricky one that often involves David vs. Goliath battles—a truth that a coffee shop in Santa Cruz, Calif., is finding out the hard way. KSBW reports that Cat and Cloud Coffee first received a cease-and-desist order last August from none...

Trader Joe's Battle With Canadian Copycat Isn't Over

Appeals court says trademark suit can continue

(Newser) - The "renegade" grocery store bringing Canadians a taste of Trader Joe's might be in jeopardy once again: The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has revived a 2013 lawsuit the US grocery store brought against Pirate Joe's —a Vancouver, BC, store run by Michael Hallatt, who buys...

Citigroup Sues AT&T for Saying 'Thanks'

Citigroup trademarked the phrase 'ThankYou' in 2010

(Newser) - Better think twice next time you want to express gratitude. Reuters reports Citigroup filed a lawsuit Friday because AT&T is using the word "thanks." Citigroup has been using the phrase "ThankYou" in marketing for customer loyalty programs since 2004, and it trademarked the phrase in 2010....

New Object of Chick-fil-A's Ire: Kale T-Shirts

Trademark Office not buying Vermont guy's bid to patent 'Eat More Kale'

(Newser) - First, Chick-fil-A flapped its way into the gay marriage debate , and now the fast-food giant is again throwing down—this time with a Vermont artist who makes "Eat More Kale" T-shirts. Chick-fil-A contends that the slogan, though spelled correctly, is too close to its own “Eat Mor Chikin”...

Ben & Jerry's Sues Maker of 'Ben & Cherry's' Pornos

Ice cream giant says it's smearing their reputation

(Newser) - Ben & Jerry's wants the porn industry to keep its Schweddy Balls away from its trademark. The beloved ice cream company is suing the makers of the "Ben & Cherry's" series of X-rated films, which includes such classics as, Boston Cream Thigh, Peanut Butter D-Cup, and New ...

Apple Settles $60M iPad Trademark Suit

Firm claimed rights to name in China

(Newser) - Apple is ending a Chinese trademark spat with a $60 million settlement. Apple bought the rights to the iPad name from Chinese firm Proview in 2009, the US company says—but Proview argues that it maintained rights to the name in China. As the dispute continued, Proview asked customs offices...

Obama Campaign Sues Site for Selling Obama Gear

Lawsuit says 'Demstore.com' has violated trademark

(Newser) - President Obama's re-election campaign is suing a website that hawks T-shirts, bumper stickers and buttons with the campaign's signature "O" logo, claiming the store is infringing on its trademark. In a lawsuit filed Friday in federal court in Washington, the committee asks the court to stop Demstore....

Hells Angels Rip Roarin' Mad About T-Shirts

Fashion house sued over trademark infringement

(Newser) - The Harley-riding outlaws of the Hells Angels are on the warpath—over trademark infringement. The organization is suing a fashion house over women's T-shirts that say "My boyfriend is a Hells Angel," reports the Los Angeles Times . "We bring these lawsuits from time to time not...

Social Networking: Facebook Battles 'Shagbook' Over Trademark Infringement
Facebook Sues 'Shagbook'
Over Name
Aug 4, 2011 5:11 PM CDT

Facebook Sues 'Shagbook' Over Name

Dating site fights back, challenges trademark granted to Zuckerberg

(Newser) - A few months ago, Facebook sued adult dating site Shagbook over trademark infringement; now, the makers of Shagbook are hitting back, arguing that “facebook” is a “generic term.” Facebook says Shagbook is too close to its own name and suggests “the intent to call to mind...

Samsung Fires Back, Sues Apple

Files suit for smartphone, computer patent violations

(Newser) - After Apple launched a trademark lawsuit against Samsung, it’s the South Korean firm’s turn to sue. Samsung is suing Apple in Seoul, Tokyo, and Germany over patent violations, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Korean tech company says Apple—one of its leading buyers of chips and other...

Feds Seize Websites Hawking Knockoffs

Dozens of sites linked to counterfeit goods being shut down

(Newser) - If you've been looking for bargains online the last few days, you may have come across a message instead from your friendly Homeland Security Department: "This website has been seized ..." The feds have been shutting down dozens of sites that appeared to be selling knockoffs of items such...

Facebook Sues Small Teacher Community Site

Claims it owns the '-book' suffix

(Newser) - Facebook has filed a lawsuit against Teachbook, a little-known community website for teachers. The lawsuit alleges that Teachbook is “misappropriating the distinctive book portion of Facebook’s trademark … in a blatant attempt to become a Facebook for teachers.” Facebook is suing for unspecified damages, and wants the...

Apple Axes iPad Facebook App
 Apple Axes iPad Facebook App 
Apr 7, 2010 6:24 AM CDT

Apple Axes iPad Facebook App

Similar iPhone apps still available, maverick creator notes

(Newser) - A popular application allowing easy Facebook use on the iPad has already been jettisoned from the Apple Store for "copyright violations." Facebook Ultimate, which sells for $2.99, was already among the top 10 highest selling apps when Apple axed it. A spokesman for Facebook, which hasn't gotten...

18 Stories