The City of Portland is known as a hub for craft beer, and its local government couldn’t be prouder. The Travel Portland website proudly proclaims that Portland is “home to more breweries than any other city on earth.” Yet the city’s relationship with the local craft beer scene is not so bubbly at the moment,
Game Over for Nestlé? Atari Sues Over “Breakout” Kit-Kat Ads
By Tim Sitzmann on
For most of us, video games and candy go together perfectly, but that doesn’t mean they always get along. In fact, last week the “original” video game company, Atari Interactive, sued food and candy behemoth Nestlé in California federal court. What put Atari on tilt? It was Nestlé’s incorporation of the game play, layout, and…
Trick or Trademark? Mars Says Hershey’s Can’t Own “SCARY” Candy.
By Tim Sitzmann on
Posted in Advertising, Branding, Fair Use, Food, Idea Protection, Marketing, Trademarks, TTAB, USPTO
Sandwiched between 90 degree days in a Minnesota summer, the idea of Halloween wasn’t on my radar – until I learned about the latest dispute between candy giants Mars and Hershey’s.
Mars and its subsidiary own many well-known candy brands, including M&Ms, Snickers, Twix, Skittles, Life Savers, and others. Not to be outdone, Hershey…
Authentic Pepperoni
By Duets Guest Blogger on
Like a growing number of consumers, I pay attention to where my food comes from. For most products, quality and price still rule but food miles can break a tie.
But when I’m searching for specialty products, authenticity plays a big role. And country of origin is a key attribute, so much…
The Great Chocolate War
By Duets Guest Blogger on
Posted in Advertising, Branding, Guest Bloggers, Infringement, Law Suits, Marketing, Product Packaging, Trademarks
—Jason Voiovich, author of the “State of the Brand” & Vice-President of Marketing for AbleNet, Inc.
It sounds like something I’d get wrong in a game of "Trivial Pursuit".
Name the belated military attempt of King William I to restore his position as monarch over the Belgians. I might have guessed the delicious-sounding…