Jack Daniel's trademark suit over poop-themed dog toys reaches US Supreme Court

[IamMatt]

Next week the Supreme Court will hear oral argument in Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc. v. VIP Prods., LLC.  The famous whiskey brand sued VIP, claiming that its squeak toy for dogs—in the shape of a bottle and featuring various elements that resemble and thereby parody Jack Daniel’s—infringes the company’s trademark in violation of the Lanham Act.

 

Couple of articles here:

 

https://verdict.justia.com/2023/03/15/jack-daniels-claims-to-have-a-sense-of-humor-but-its-supreme-court-case-against-a-poop-themed-dog-toy-suggests-otherwise

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/poop-themed-dog-toys-shaped-whiskey-bottles-face-supreme-court-tradema-rcna75917

[fishnbowljoe]

[Richnimrod]

There was a pic in the Detroit News today showing a JD bottle next to the infamous chew toy.   Pretty good parody!   ...And, a cute chew toy.   

But, without JD having a chance to approve the use of their (similar) images..,. and get paid, I assume... it isn't a big surprise that they'd sue VIP Products all the way to the Supreme Court.

[PaulO]

I believe as a parody it should be protected as free speech.  Another point, we're talking about two separate categories of products, dog toy versus whiskey.  It's not like anybody is going to go shopping for JD to drink, and purchase the dog toy instead because they got confused.

[jvd99]

JD needs to lighten up. There are tons of companies that make parody dog toys mimicking beer/spirits and all sorts of other products. They're fun for the dogs and people. They should just let it be.

 

 

[IamMatt]

Looks like the SCOTUS unanimously ruled in favor of Jack Daniel's, sending the case back to the lower court to be heard.  Some people might be unhappy that SCOTUS is spending time on this when other more important matters are left unheard.

 

https://fortune.com/2023/06/08/supreme-court-jack-daniels-dog-toy-copyright-decision/

[jvd99]

On 6/9/2023 at 6:00 PM, IamMatt said:

Looks like the SCOTUS unanimously ruled in favor of Jack Daniel's, sending the case back to the lower court to be heard.  Some people might be unhappy that SCOTUS is spending time on this when other more important matters are left unheard.

 

https://fortune.com/2023/06/08/supreme-court-jack-daniels-dog-toy-copyright-decision/

I’m more upset all the funny dog toys are in peril….Barkers Mark, Pappy Van Tinkle, Pabst Poo Ribbon, Dog Peringon