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Citigroup Sues AT&T For Saying 'Thanks' To Customers (techdirt.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the some-words-shouldn't-be-trademarked dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Citigroup has a trademark on "THANKYOU" and is currently using it to sue ATT for using "Thanks." Ars Technica reports: "Who knew? Banking giant Citigroup has trademarked 'THANKYOU' and is now suing technology giant ATT for how it says thanks to its own loyal customers. This is 'unlawful conduct' amounting to wanton trademark infringement, Citigroup claims in its federal lawsuit." Citigroup doesn't appear to be gracious in its branding: Despite actual knowledge of Citigroup's substantial use of and exclusive rights in the THANKYOU Marks, Citigroup's use of the marks in connection with ATT co-branded credit cards, and Citigroup's concerns regarding ATT's proposed trademarks, ATT launched a customer loyalty program under the trademarks "thanks" and "ATT thanks" on or about June 2, 2016. ATT's use of the "thanks" and "ATT thanks" trademarks is likely to cause consumer confusion and constitutes trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition in violation of Citigroup's rights. Citigroup therefore seeks to enjoin ATT's infringing conduct and to recover damages based on the injury ATT's conduct has caused to Citigroup as well as ATT's unjust enrichment. In April, ATT applied to trademark "ATT THANKS." Citigroup wants that trademark to be rejected because it thinks that proposed trademark is "confusingly similar to Citigroup's "THANKYOU Marks," according to its lawsuit.

10 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. I Love You by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Welcome to COSTCO, I Love You.

    Idiocracy at its best!

    1. Re:I Love You by arglebargle_xiv · · Score: 5, Funny

      AT&T should just trademark "Fuck you", which is what they're really doing to customers. I don't think Citigroup would object, since their real motto, "Screw you", sounds substantially different.

  2. Say "Citigroup" instead of "Thank You" by Hasaf · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think I am going to give a shot at saying "Citigroup" instead of thank-you. Them , when people look at me with a dumfounded expression, I can explain that Citigoup has established ownership over the words "Thank You" and "thanks."

    Citigroup for reading my silly idea.

    1. Re:Say "Citigroup" instead of "Thank You" by ZipK · · Score: 5, Funny

      Citigroup for sharing.

  3. In Related News... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comcast is just waiting for someone to infringe on their "Fuck You" to customers trademark.

  4. Citibank or AT&T? by theskipper · · Score: 5, Funny

    Even the devil is having trouble picking sides on this one. Mainly because it would mean favoring one child over the other.

    1. Re:Citibank or AT&T? by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Funny

      We're very sorry, but we trademarked the word sorry decades ago.

      Signed,
      Canada.

  5. Re:Clickbait title by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm going to trademark â & âoe and charge $10 each time a miss-configured news site uses it.

  6. Re:This is quite possibly... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Wait until they sue Kansas City, New York City and all the other infringers of the Citi trademark.

  7. Re:Thank you for being a friend by slashrio · · Score: 5, Funny

    And that from an anonymous cow-ard...

    --
    "Trump!!", the new Godwin.