Brown vs. Startup Over a Sandwich

An anonymous reader writes "Crunchbutton, founded by Yale grads, is trying to replicate the success of its one-button food delivery service in and around Brown University. The controversy began when the startup delivered a popular Brown sandwich called the 'Spicy With' to students. Brown's lawyers sent Crunchbutton a cease and desist letter, demanding that the company remove any associations with the university or its name. The startup says it has complied with the demands, yet Brown has not backed off, and it expects to be served with a lawsuit. This tale illustrates the perils of encouraging entrepreneurship while protecting the interests of a big educational institution."

Comments

Brown?

[Anonymous Coward]

Why would they name their university after the color of poop? They should have payed attention to the brown Microsoft Zune fiasco.

The decline and fall of the American Empire

[M. Baranczak]

people tend to choose the same one or two items whenever they call a particular restaurant for delivery or take-out. And restaurants tend to have a few popular items that they make particularly well. Why not match up supply and demand with a smart button that makes ordering super-simple?

For people who think that ordering food delivery is just too much work.

Re:Which part has the university's name

[Anonymous Coward]

With is the official preposition of Brown University. It's on the homepage and in all their official literature. Spicy is the fencing team's mascot, a Mexican matador with a bandolier of epees.

I really don't see how this could be any clearer.

For now it looks like they may have to

[Anonymous Coward]

Brown bag it for a while.

Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh

Re:For now it looks like they may have to

[MickyTheIdiot]

asshole. Edward von Gerichten is now on the phone with every brown bag manufactuer in North America threatening trademark infringement. It's cashing in on "their good name."

Unlikely scenario

[ArcadeMan]

Brown University sues Crunchbutton.
Crunchbutton seeks external help.
UPS sues Brown University over the "Brown" trademark.
Brown University drops lawsuit against Crunchbutton, with public apologies.
UPS drops lawsuit against Brown University, with a note saying "We'll be watching. By the way your name is now Blue University".