Nathan Fielder created quite an uproar when he opened up an establishment in Los Feliz, California named “Dumb Starbucks.” According to its FAQ sheet, the store claimed to legally operate…
Category: Famous Marks
“World War Pink”: Victoria’s Secret and Thomas Pink Square Off in Dispute Over “Pink” Brands
The global branding dispute between Thomas Pink and Victoria’s Secret opened up a front in Canada last month. In the decision, Justice Hughes of the Federal Court found that Victoria’s…
Beer, Reform, and Policy: A Pint of Chinese Trade-mark Law
If you want to order a Heineken in China, just ask the bartender for a “喜力啤酒” (pronounced “see lee pee jow”). The second word-pair, “啤酒”(“pee jow”), simply means “beer” and…
To Poach a Mockingbird: Harper Lee's Trade-mark Battle
So much for southern hospitality. Celebrated American author Harper Lee finds herself embroiled in a trademark clash for the right to register the title of her own 1961 Pulitzer-winning novel, To…
The Bay Builds Upon a Masterpiece
Beymen, the leading fashion brand in Turkey, has offered upscale men’s clothing since 1971, more recently adding women’s wear and home collections to its lines. But when it sought to…
Quebec Has Some Branding Issues
The commitment to culture by our Francophone neighbours in Quebec has put their provincial government in the center of a legal battle with 6 major retailers. (more…)