Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 15, 2008 4:03:10 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

M&M's Maker Countersues Naked Cowboy

Posted Jul 11, 08 7:48 PM CDT in Business,  Crime & Courts 

(Newser) – The maker of M&M's isn’t sitting still while the Naked Cowboy tries to serenade his way into its corporate pocketbook, the New York Post reports. Yesterday Mars Inc. fired a copyright-infringement suit at the musical cowpoke, a fixture at Times Square who had sued Mars, saying the company stole his look in an M&M's ad. But Mars says that’s like the Yankees claiming they have a monopoly on pinstripes.

He doesn’t own his “get-up,” Mars argues. Indeed, no one can have exclusive rights to “white cowboy hat, white boots, white underpants and an acoustic guitar.” The company also “denies” that the cowboy, Robert Burck, has a trademark on his “persona.”

Source New York Post

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Kraft, Mars, Cadbury Hit by Chinese Tainting Scandal

    Sep 29, 08 9:48 AM CDT
    Kraft, Mars, Cadbury Hit by Chinese Tainting Scandal Kraft and Mars are investigating claims by the Indonesian government that products including Oreos, M&Ms, and Snickers imported from China are tainted with melamine, PerthNow reports. The company notes that the products tested melamine-free elsewhere in Asia, and suggests that they could be counterfeit. Still, the firms are supporting a recall. Meanwhile, Cadbury is pulling 11 chocolate products from Hong Kong shelves, the BBC reports.
    More »

  • Naked Cowboy to M&Ms: See You in Court

    Jun 23, 08 5:57 PM CDT
    Naked Cowboy to M&Ms: See You in Court The New York street performer known as the Naked Cowboy can sue Mars Inc. for trademark infringement, a judge ruled today, over a singing blue M&M wearing his signature costume on a Times Square billboard, Reuters reports. In seeking $6 million in damages, Robert Burck "plausibly alleges that consumers seeing defendants' advertisements would conclude—incorrectly—that he had endorsed M&M candy," the judge wrote. More »

Times Square fixture the Naked Cowboy can't trademark his "persona," candy-maker Mars claims in a counter-suit against Robert Burck, who sued the company over Cowboy-like M&M's in an advertisement.   ((c) 7263255)
Naked Cowboy takes a call   ((c) szlea)
Mars' cowboy figure   (YouTube screenshot)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Mars' billboard figure   (YouTube screenshot)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

Threads (
1
 of 1)

Tags

Mars  • guitar  • trademarks  • M&Ms  • Robert Burck


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Crime & Courts Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »