I don’t shop at Hot Topic because I’m not a teenage girl, but I’ve heard that the stores exist. But I am old enough to remember Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at the height of their fame in the early ’80s. But now two generations are colliding in a mess of tee shirts, push-up bras, and nail polish as the rock star’s record label sues the retailer over the Blackheart brand. [More]
what’s in a name?
New 49ers Stadium To Carry The Levi’s Name
By 5.8.13
After several pleasant seasons of not having to remember which company had paid to slap their name on Candlestick Park, fans of the San Francisco 49ers will have to get used to the Levi’s name, as the clothing company has ponied up the cash for the naming rights to the Niners’ under-construction stadium. [More]
“TelePod,” “Mobi,” And Other Bad Names Apple Could Have Given To iPhone
By 3.5.13
We all know that most brand names are not the result of the first thing that pops into an inventor’s head. But it’s a little hard to imagine a world where everyone is going gaga for each new iteration of the Apple Telepod. [More]
Bar Owner Buys Entire Texas Town, Renames It “Bikinis, TX”
By 7.18.12
The man behind the Texas-based Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill chain of eateries — so named for its servers’ barely-there attire — has purchased an entire abandoned town off Craigslist and named it after the restaurant, all with the goal of transforming the ghost town into a tourist destination. [More]
Zillow Suspends My Account Because I Added “+Zillow” To My E-mail Address
By 6.21.12
As a way of tracking possible spam and simply keeping one’s inbox organized, a small but growing number of people are adding “+” terms onto their e-mail addresses when they register with websites. But one Consumerist reader says that when he tried to use this technique to keep track of e-mails related to his Zillow.com account, that account was suspended for violating the company’s trademark. [More]
Bank Of America Won't Let New Bride Deposit Wedding Gift Checks Because She Didn't Change Her Last Name
By 1.3.12
While a large majority of women in the U.S. choose to take their husband’s last name when they get married, it’s certainly not some unheard-of practice that should wreak havoc at a national bank. But Bank of America employees in Albany decided they could not possibly recognize a new bride as her husband’s spouse since she hadn’t changed her name to match his. [More]
Chick-Fil-A Cashier Just Assumes Customers' Names Are Ching & Chong
By 12.12.11
One would think that by this point in the internet’s existence that employees at any sort of business that puts customers’ names on receipts might be aware of the fact that putting a potentially offensive nickname, description or slur on said receipts is probably nowhere near as hilarious as it initially seems. [More]
Starbucks Customer: Excuse Me, But My Name Is Not "Bit*h"
By 9.28.11
For some reason, some folks in the food service biz never learn the lesson that they shouldn’t vent their anger at a customer by insulting them on a receipt, to-go pack or in this case, a Starbucks cup. [More]
Netflix DVD Service To Be Renamed Qwikster, Will Offer Video Games
By 9.19.11
Over on the Netflix blog, CEO Reed Hastings offers a lengthy “my bad” about the way the video delivery service abruptly announced the fracturing of its services into separate streaming and DVD-by-mail offerings. But that doesn’t mean Netflix is going back to its old pricing model. In fact, Hastings announced that the DVD delivery service will soon become even more distinct from Netflix’s streaming side. [More]
Ben & Jerry's Introduces "Schweddy Balls" Flavor Ice Cream
By 9.8.11
Don’t know about you, but when we think about holiday treats, our minds veer toward a special snack created by Pete Schweddy, owner of Seasons Eatings. Apparently, the folks at Ben & Jerry’s have heard about this delectable delight too and are introducing a Schweddy Balls flavor of ice cream. [More]
Judge Allows Amazon To Keep Using Appstore Name For Now
By 7.7.11
The legal war between Apple and Amazon over the term “App Store” continues, but a judge has handed the most recent battle to the e-tailer, denying Apple’s request for a preliminary injunction against Amazon’s online Appstore. [More]
Apple Slaps Open Source Start-Up With Cease & Desist Over "App Store"
By 6.22.11
Apple’s untiring defense of its application to trademark the phrase “App Store” continues. But this time, the Cupertino Crew isn’t squabbling with Microsoft or suing Amazon. No, Apple is going after a small start-up software company you may have never heard about. [More]
Someone Is Actually Suing To Keep Using The "Blockbuster" Brand
By 6.1.11
Last September, when Blockbuster Video filed for bankruptcy protection, NCR, which licenses the video store’s name for its Blockbuster Express DVD kiosks did their best to let customers know that the two businesses are related in name only. But now that the chain has been bought by Dish Network, the Blockbuster name is apparently no longer the scarlet “B” it was just a few months ago. [More]
Sears Sues Maker Of Sex-Enhancement Spray Over "DieHard" Name
By 4.14.11
For decades, Sears has been using the trademarked brand name “DieHard” on its car batteries and auto parts. Now the retail relic has filed a trademark infringement suit against a company that makes a sexual enhancement spray under the same name. [More]
"Chicken Poop" Tops List Of Beauty Products With Ugly Names
By 1.3.11
I know that when I hear the words “chicken poop,” the first thing I want to do is lather it on my lips. And there’s nothing better than “jizz” for painting my fingernails. Wait — why are you looking at me like that? [More]
Philly Cream Cheese, AriZona Iced Tea & Other Products With Geographically Misleading Names
By 5.1.10
Earlier this week, we wrote about how the folks at AriZona Iced Tea want everyone to know they’re actually from New York. And then I was having a bite at a Connecticut Muffin in Brooklyn when I remembered that Philadelphia Cream Cheese isn’t from Philadelphia. [More]
