M&M's Maker Countersues Naked Cowboy

Street performer says Times Sq. billboard is trademark infringement

(NEWSER) - 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»

Robert Burck plans to run on Tea Party platform

(USER SUBMITTED) - Times Square's Naked Cowboy, Robert Burck, announced today that he plans to run for the US presidency. His platform includes closing borders, requiring drug tests for welfare recipients, abolishing unions for government workers, cutting capital gains and income taxes and reversing Obamacare health legislation. No word on whether the Naked Cowgirl, against whom Burck filed a trademark infringement suit , plans to join the fray. Read the full article . More»

She stole his schtick, plus she's sullying 'wholesome' icon

(NEWSER) - It may be nothing but tightie-whities (accessorized with a cowboy hat and a guitar), but Robert Burck, aka the Naked Cowboy, says his signature attire, while performing more or less daily for tourists in Times Square, constitutes his trademark, and he's suing his female counterpart, the Naked Cowgirl, for violating said trademark, registered, thank you very much, in 2000. Burck's lawyer filed a lawsuit yesterday claiming that she's "devaluing a real American brand and icon." More»

(NEWSER) - Robert Burck, the “Naked Cowboy” who strolls New York’s Times Square, is planning a run for mayor there, WABC-TV reports. The guitar slinger in underpants will challenge Mayor Michael Bloomberg by “bringing transparency to a whole new level.” Burck says he’ll also run on his ideas about taxes, tourism, gay nuptials, national security, and public transportation. More»

Melamine concerns prompt recall, probe

(NEWSER) - 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»