Buzz
Some corporations are infamous for their aggressive stance on defending their intellectual property. Companies like Disney and Apple frequently issue cease and desist notices to individuals and businesses that violate their copyrights. While most such orders go unnoticed, here are 10 instances that stand out for being humorous, surprising, or simply fascinating.
10. Bud Light’s Medieval-Themed C&D to Modist Brewing
On December 1, 2017, Modist Brewing Co. introduced their Dilly Dilly Mosaic Double IPA. Shortly after the launch, Bud Light—known for its medieval-themed “dilly dilly” marketing campaign—delivered a unique cease and desist notice. A town crier, dressed in medieval attire, arrived at Modist’s headquarters and dramatically read the C&D from a scroll.
The crier explained that while Bud Light permitted Modist to sell the existing batch of beer, they were prohibited from using the name in the future. The letter humorously referenced Bud Light’s advertisements, warning that non-compliance would result in “additional scrolls, a formal warning, and ultimately a private tour of the pit of misery.”
The video capturing the moment quickly went viral, but when questioned if they were involved, Modist responded, “Nope. Not even for a dillisecond.”
9. The Lord of the Rings vs. The Lord of the Bins
After losing their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dan Walker and Nick Lockwood launched their own venture: The Lord of the Bins, a waste management service. The name cleverly plays on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and their chosen font closely resembled that of Peter Jackson’s film adaptations. Their tagline, “One ring to remove it all,” further nods to the iconic fantasy series.
However, Middle Earth Enterprises, which holds the rights to Tolkien’s works, swiftly sent a cease and desist letter to the Brighton-based company, insisting they alter their name and slogan.
“It’s just bully-boy tactics,” Lockwood told The Sun. Despite their belief that their business posed no threat to The Lord of the Rings, Walker admitted, “We can’t afford to fight them. We’re just trying to make people smile and earn a living.”
8. T-Mobile’s Vigilance Over Pink
T-Mobile is fiercely protective of its signature pink logo, officially known as Pantone’s Rhodamine Red U. This vibrant hue dominates their branding, and their former CEO, John Legere, often showcased it in his attire, from T-shirts to shoes, and even his hair on occasion.
In 2014, T-Mobile took legal action against AT&T for using a plum shade in marketing materials for its subsidiary, Aio Wireless. Federal District Court Judge Lee Rosenthal ruled in T-Mobile’s favor, stating that the similar colors could lead customers to mistakenly believe Aio was connected to T-Mobile.
T-Mobile’s protective measures aren’t limited to direct competitors. They’ve issued cease and desist letters to an IT company, a smartwatch manufacturer, and even an insurance firm. While T-Mobile is notably aggressive in defending its magenta shade, it’s not alone in trademarking a color—other examples include Tiffany blue, Barbie pink, and UPS brown.
7. A Napoleon Dynamite Star Sent a C&D to His Twin Brother
Efren Ramirez, famous for his role as Pedro Sánchez in the 2004 comedy Napoleon Dynamite, saw his relationship with his identical twin brother, Carlos Ramirez, deteriorate after the film’s success. Carlos began attending events posing as Efren when his brother was unavailable. In 2008, Carlos admitted to TMZ, “I went to an event without his knowledge, acting immaturely to retaliate over a personal issue involving my then-girlfriend.”
Upon discovering this, Efren issued a cease and desist letter to Carlos, threatening a $10 million lawsuit if he continued impersonating him. Carlos complied immediately and expressed hope for reconciliation. “The impact of Napoleon Dynamite and its aftermath has destroyed my bond with my twin,” he sadly reflected.
6. Netflix Closed a Stranger Things-Themed Bar
In summer 2017, brothers Danny and Doug Marks launched The Upside Down, a Stranger Things-inspired pop-up bar in Chicago’s Logan Square. The venue featured themed drinks like Eleven’s Eggos and a replica of the show’s iconic Christmas light alphabet wall. The bar quickly gained popularity, and the brothers planned to extend its run through October to coincide with Season 2’s premiere and Halloween.
However, Netflix soon sent a witty cease and desist letter packed with references to the series. “Unless I’m in the Upside Down, I don’t recall approving this pop-up,” the letter stated. The Marks were permitted to complete their six-week schedule but had to close afterward. “We adore our fans, but remember, the demogorgon isn’t always lenient. So, don’t force us to call your mom,” the letter concluded.
5. In-N-Out’s Witty Cease and Desist to Seven Stills Brewery
In July 2018, Seven Stills Brewery, a San Francisco-based craft brewery, unveiled a “Neapolitan milkshake stout” inspired by the fast-food chain In-N-Out. Named In-N-Stout, the beer’s can design mirrored In-N-Out’s signature red, white, and yellow color palette and even featured their iconic palm tree imagery.
Tim Obert, co-owner of Seven Stills, admitted they “anticipated the cease and desist,” but were caught off guard by the humorous puns in the letter. In-N-Out quipped, “The use of our marks by third parties ales us,” and added, “We’re trying to clearly distill our rights by crafting an amicable solution, rather than barrel through this.”
Seven Stills adhered to In-N-Out’s request, rebranding the stout with a new name and packaging.
4. Carl Sagan Took Legal Action Against Apple
Apple is notorious for aggressively issuing cease and desist orders to companies using the term “pod” or an apple logo (even pears aren’t spared!). However, in the early ’90s, Apple found itself on the receiving end when it was discovered that their Power Mac 7100 was internally codenamed “Carl Sagan.”
The name was inspired by Sagan’s famous phrase “billions and billions,” reflecting Apple’s ambition to earn billions from the computer’s sales (a goal they didn’t achieve). The astronomer, however, was displeased, concerned that the use of his name implied a personal endorsement of the product.
After Sagan sent a cease and desist letter, Apple altered the codename to “BHA,” standing for “Butt-Head Astronomer.” Sagan, unamused, sued Apple for libel. When that failed, he pursued legal action for the unauthorized use of his name. The case was eventually settled out of court.
The final codename for the Mac became “LAW,” humorously representing “Lawyers Are Wimps.”
3. The North Face vs. The South Butt
In 2007, 16-year-old Jimmy Winkelmann launched a clothing brand to mock his peers who wore North Face gear without ever climbing mountains. He named his company The South Butt, adopting the slogan “Never Stop Relaxing” as a playful twist on The North Face’s “Never Stop Exploring.” The logo, a flipped and modified version of North Face’s mountain icon, humorously resembled butt cheeks.
The North Face, unamused by the parody despite Winkelmann’s modest $5,000 in sales, sent a cease and desist letter. Winkelmann hired legal representation, prompting The North Face to file a trademark infringement lawsuit. The ensuing publicity significantly boosted traffic to The South Butt’s website. “Without The North Face’s actions, The South Butt might not have survived,” remarked Albert Watkins, Winkelmann’s lawyer.
In 2010, the two parties reached a confidential settlement, with The South Butt agreeing to cease operations.
2. Taco John’s Guarded the Phrase “Taco Tuesday”
The phrase “Taco Tuesday” is widely used by restaurants to promote discounted tacos on Tuesdays. However, for years, Taco John’s—a Midwest and Mountain region chain—held the trademark and aggressively sent cease and desist letters to businesses using the slogan.
Taco John’s proudly declared their ownership of the phrase on their website: “Ever heard of Taco Tuesday®? We created it! We even trademarked it. That’s how much we value tacos.” However, while Taco John’s trademarked the term in the ’80s, they didn’t originate it. Thrillist notes that the earliest mention of taco deals on Tuesdates dates back to 1933, with the exact phrase “Taco Tuesday” appearing as early as 1973.
Despite their cease and desist efforts, the phrase’s widespread use couldn’t be stopped. In 2023, Taco Bell petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel Taco John’s trademark, arguing that the phrase “should be free for everyone who makes, sells, eats, and celebrates tacos.” Taco John’s ultimately relented, with CEO Jim Creel stating, “Spending millions on legal fees to defend our mark just doesn’t feel right.”
1. George Lucas Issued a Cease and Desist to Queen
Freddie Mercury was known for his flamboyant stage presence. During Queen’s tours in the late ’70s and early ’80s, Mercury would often return for encores perched on the shoulders of a muscular security guard dressed as Superman or Santa Claus. Walt Versen, Queen’s head of security, later suggested the guard dress as Darth Vader, capitalizing on the immense popularity of the Star Wars films at the time.
Versen, in his Vader costume, witnessed Mercury perform “We Will Rock You” from below about a dozen times, calling it “a unique experience” in a 2019 interview. When the Vader costume was abruptly discontinued, Versen was unsure why, but he later discovered George Lucas had sent a cease and desist letter, disapproving of his character being used as Mercury’s prop.
While Lucas disapproved, the audience absolutely loved it. “Everyone found it hilarious and quintessentially Freddie,” recalls photographer Tom Callins, who snapped one of the iconic photos of Mercury atop the Star Wars antagonist.
