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

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.

Comments

Clickbait title

[fearofdecaf]

Citigroup are suing AT&T for marketing a rewards program based on the word "Thanks" because they have a registered trademark for a rewards program using "Thankyou" marks. This has nothing today with anyone 'saying thanks'.

No story here. Go about your business.

Re:Clickbait title

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

Citigroup are suing AT&T for marketing a rewards program based on the word "Thanks" because they have a registered trademark for a rewards program using "Thankyou" marks. This has nothing today with anyone 'saying thanks'.

No story here. Go about your business.

This is not off-topic. This is exactly what the article says! Here's a quote from the article:

Despite actual knowledge of Citigroupâ(TM)s substantial use of and exclusive rights in the THANKYOU Marks, Citigroupâ(TM)s use of the marks in connection with AT&T co-branded credit cards, and Citigroupâ(TM)s concerns regarding AT&Tâ(TM)s proposed trademarks, AT&T launched a customer loyalty program under the trademarks âoethanksâ and âoeAT&T thanksâ on or about June 2, 2016.

That's a pretty important detail to leave out of the summary! Somebody please fix the parent's moderation.

Re:Say "Citigroup" instead of "Thank You"

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

Citigroup's "Thank you" is a loyalty rewards service. AT&T's "Thank you" is also a loyalty rewards service. It'd be like Wendy's offering a Super Size menu. The article even says as much but since the dipshit that wrote it went off on a knee-jerk reaction you've been mislead to believe that it's about usage of the simple phrase.

This is not the site to go to if you want informed news on patents, trademarks, or copyrights. Hell, half the commenters on this site think Apple owns anything with a rounded corner.

Re:Say "Citigroup" instead of "Thank You"

[I'm New Around Here]

No, they didn't claim the word thanks, they claimed a loyalty reward program called "Thank you". If you're mad about this then you've been mad at Google over their trademark of "Android" for a long time now.

No, they claimed a loyalty reward program called "THANKYOU". Not "Thank you", and certainly not "Thanks", and most certainly not "ATT Thanks". Those are all different. Whether they are too similar is apparently up to a judge/jury.