Certain companies are known for having a ruthless reputation when it comes to protecting their intellectual property. Disney and Apple, for instance, are no strangers to sending cease and desist letters to fans and companies for infringing on their copyright. While most C&D orders aren’t particularly noteworthy, here are 10 that are funny, shocking, or just downright interesting.
Related: Top 10 Craziest Copyright Claims Ever Made
10 Bud Light Sent Modist Brewing a Medieval C&D
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On December 1, 2017, Modist Brewing Co. released their Dilly Dilly Mosaic Double IPA. Just a couple of hours after the launch, Bud Light—who used the phrase “dilly dilly” in their medieval-themed marketing campaign—sent Modist Brewing an unusual cease and desist letter. A medieval-style town crier showed up at Modist’s offices and read the C&D from a scroll.
The crier stated that while Bud Light was fine with Modist selling the current run of beer, they weren’t to use the name thereafter. The wording referenced Bud Light’s adverts, stating that failure to comply “shall be met with additional scrolls, then with a formal warning, and finally a private tour of the pit of misery.”
The video of the moment went viral, but when asked whether they were in on it, Modist said, “Nope. Not even for a dillisecond.”[1]
9 The Lord of the Rings vs. The Lord of the Bins
When Dan Walker and Nick Lockwood both lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they decided to set up their own small business: The Lord of the Bins, a waste disposal company. As well as punning on the name of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the typeface they chose was similar to that used for the titles of Peter Jackson’s film adaptations. Their motto is similarly suggestive of the fantasy series: “One ring to remove it all.”
But it wasn’t long before the Brighton-based company received a cease and desist order from Middle Earth Enterprises—which owns the film and merchandising rights to Tolkien’s series—demanding that Walker and Lockwood change the name and tagline.
“It’s just bully-boy tactics,” Lockwood told The Sun. But despite believing that their business wouldn’t cause any harm to The Lord of the Rings, Walker said, “We can’t afford to fight them. We’re just trying to make people smile and make a living.”[2]
8 T-Mobile Is Protective of Pink
Telecommunications company T-Mobile is extremely protective of the pink color of their logo, which is technically Pantone’s Rhodamine Red U. As well as appearing in all of their marketing, the company’s former CEO, John Legere, was always repping the color—from his T-shirt to his shoes and sometimes even his hair.
Back in 2014, T-Mobile sued their rival AT&T for using a plum color in their marketing for subsidiary company Aio Wireless. Federal District Court Judge Lee Rosenthal sided with T-Mobile, stating that the similar colors mean that “potential customers will be confused into thinking that Aio is affiliated or associated with T-Mobile.”
However, T-Mobile doesn’t just go after its direct competitors, with whom customers may legitimately get confused. The company has also sent cease and desist letters to an IT firm, a smartwatch maker, and an insurance company. Although T-Mobile seems particularly militant about safeguarding its shade of magenta, it isn’t the only one that has trademarked a color. There’s Tiffany blue, Barbie pink, and UPS brown. [3]
7 A Napoleon Dynamite Actor Sent a C&D to His Twin Brother
Efren Ramirez is best known for playing Pedro Sánchez in the comedy movie Napoleon Dynamite (2004), but the successful film effectively ended his relationship with his identical twin brother. Carlos Ramirez started to attend events as his twin brother whenever Efren was too busy to go. In 2008, Carlos told TMZ, “I did attend an event without his knowledge as I was being immature and wanted to get back at him for a personal matter which involved the girl I was dating at the time.”
When Efren found out, he sent Carlos a cease and desist order, threatening to sue him for more than $10 million if he impersonated him again. Carlos immediately stopped and hopes to salvage their relationship one day. “I think it’s safe to say the magnitude of Napoleon Dynamite and everything that has come along with it has ruined my relationship with my twin,” he lamented.[4]
6 Netflix Shut Down a Stranger Things Bar
In the summer of 2017, brothers Danny and Doug Marks opened a Stranger Things-themed pop-up bar in Logan Square, Chicago. Called The Upside Down, the bar sold themed cocktails—such as the syrup-flavored Eleven’s Eggos—and was decorated with the iconic Christmas tree light alphabet wall from the show. The bar was immediately successful, and the brothers were hoping to keep it running through October for both the Season 2 premiere and Halloween.
But not long after opening, the Marks were sent a humorous cease and desist letter filled with references to the show. “Unless I’m living in the Upside Down, I don’t think we did a deal with you for this pop-up,” the letter from Netflix read. The brothers were allowed to finish out their original six-week run but had to shut up shop after that. “We love our fans more than anything, but you should know that the demogorgon is not always as forgiving. So please don’t make us call your mom,” the letter ended.[5]
5 In-N-Out Sent a Punny C&D to Seven Stills Brewery
In July 2018, San Francisco-based craft brewery Seven Stills announced the release of a “Neopolitan milkshake stout” styled after fast food chain In-N-Out. Called In-N-Stout, the design of the can copied the red, white, and yellow color scheme used by the burger joint and even used their iconic palm tree design.
Seven Stills co-owner Tim Obert said that the company “expected to receive the cease and desist,” but the puns littered throughout the letter came as a surprise. In-N-Out said that the “use of our marks by third parties ales us,” as well as “we are attempting to clearly distill our rights by crafting an amicable approach with you, rather than barrel through this.”
Seven Stills complied with In-N-Out’s demands and released the stout with a different name and packaging.[6]
4 Carl Sagan Sued Apple
Apple is known for aggressively sending out C&Ds to companies that try to use the word “pod” or an apple as their logo (even pears aren’t safe!). But Apple got a taste of their own medicine back in the early ’90s after it was revealed that their Power Mac 7100 had been given the codename “Carl Sagan.”
The name was selected due to Sagan’s catchphrase “billions and billions,” with the idea being that Apple hoped to make billions and billions of dollars from sales of the computer (they didn’t). However, the astronomer didn’t appreciate his name being used, fearing it suggested that he personally endorsed the product.
After Sagan sent a cease and desist letter, Apple changed the product’s codename to “BHA,” which stands for “Butt-Head Astronomer.” He didn’t appreciate this either and sued Apple for libel. When that failed, he sued the company for using his name in the first place. A settlement was reached out of court.
The final codename of the Mac ended up being “LAW” for “Lawyers Are Wimps.”[7]
3 George Lucas Sent a C&D to Queen
Freddie Mercury was famous for his extravagant performances. When Queen was touring during the late ’70s and early ’80s, Mercury would come out for the encore on the shoulders of a buff security guard dressed up as Superman or Santa Claus. Walt Versen, Queen’s head of security, then suggested that he dress up as Darth Vader, what with the Star Wars movies being so popular at the time.
Verson-as-Vader heard Mercury perform “We Will Rock You” from below around a dozen times, which he described as “a unique experience” in a 2019 interview. When the Vader costume was suddenly scrapped, Verson wasn’t sure what had happened, but he later found out that George Lucas didn’t appreciate his character being Mercury’s stead and sent a cease and desist letter.
It’s a shame that Lucas wasn’t a fan because the crowd certainly was. “Everybody just thought it was so funny, so Freddie,” says photographer Tom Callins, who captured one of the iconic images of Freddie riding the Star Wars villain.[8]
2 Taco John’s Didn’t Want Anyone Else Using the Phrase “Taco Tuesday”
The phrase “Taco Tuesday” is ubiquitous, with the slogan being used by countless eateries to promote a discounted price for tacos on Tuesdays. But despite being so widespread, for years, Taco John’s—a restaurant chain in the Midwest and Mountain regions—owned the trademark and sent out cease and desist letters to other businesses that used the phrase.
Taco John’s proudly boasted about their ownership on their website: “Ever hear of Taco Tuesday®? We started it! We even trademarked it. That’s how seriously we take tacos.” Taco John’s may have trademarked it, but they certainly didn’t start it in the ’80s, as they claim. Thrillist reports that the earliest evidence of a special deal for tacos on Tuesdays can be found in 1933, while the exact phrase “Taco Tuesday” can be traced back to 1973.
Despite the C&D letters, there was no stopping the rampant use of the phrase. In 2023, Taco Bell filed a petition with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel Taco John’s trademark, stating that the phrase “should be freely available to all who make, sell, eat and celebrate tacos.” Taco John’s conceded, with CEO Jim Creel saying that “paying millions of dollars to lawyers to defend our mark just doesn’t feel like the right thing to do.”[9]
1 The North Face vs. The South Butt
In 2007, 16-year-old Jimmy Winkelmann decided to create a clothing company to poke fun at his classmates wearing North Face clothes despite not climbing mountains. He called his company The South Butt and used the slogan “Never Stop Relaxing” in a parody of The North Face’s “Never Stop Exploring.” The logo was also a riff on the outdoor clothing company’s icon; instead of three curves forming a mountain, Winkelmann flipped it upside down and removed one arch to evoke butt cheeks.
The North Face didn’t see the humor in it, though—despite Winkelmann’s business having only made around $5,000—and they sent him a cease and desist letter. Winkelmann lawyered up, leading The North Face to file a trademark infringement suit, and the resulting publicity drove far more traffic to The South Butt’s website. “Simply put, if it weren’t for the efforts of The North Face, The South Butt probably wouldn’t still exist,” said Albert Watkins, Winkelmann’s attorney.
In 2010, The North Face and The South Butt reached a settlement agreement, but the terms weren’t disclosed (aside from The South Butt ceasing operations).[10]