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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.
The dumbest thing I've ever fucking seen. There are no words for the fact that we've gotten so low as to trademark appreciation. Not to mention the fact that these are two companies who, to the best of my knowledge, fuck their customers in the wallet in unconscionable ways with frequency.
Things like this are why people are against overuse of IP laws.
Best fucking CAPTCHA I've ever seen: truthful.
I always wondered why they said "I love you", seemed weird to me.
Seeing stupid bullshit like being able to trademark "Thank you" does explain it all though.
United States of America, land of the lawsuits.
Any government bureaucrat who had ANY involvement, however slight, in approving a trademark for "THANKYOU" should be fired.
It's "Thanks." I mean fuck man, it's "Thanks." I get what you're saying but it's about one of the most common terms in the English language. This entire thing is beyond fucked up. It makes me want to hate them for their arrogance in claiming the word "Thanks." I already hate Citigroup anyway but I used to hate AT&T more. Now they've moved ahead on the shitty fucking corporation list.
They do have a point. You know, whenever someone says "thank you" to me, I always naturally assume that they are working for Citigroup. When it turns out they don't work for Citigroup and they were just saying it to be nice, it confuses the hell out of me. Could everyone please stop abusing registered trademarks like that? Thank you.