Sign In
Free Newsletter
James B. Astrachan: So sue me, Hon!
The recent revelation that Café Hon owns the trademark HON has stirred controversy among persons who think HON belongs to the residents of the City of Baltimore and should not, or cannot, be monopolized by one entity for its commercial gain. What’s a “Hon”? And does Café Hon have the right to enforce its HON […]
Denise Whiting, meet Pat Riley
Most of us basketball fans know Pat Riley as the former head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Miami Heat. Think Armani suits, hair gel, “Showtime” and a decidedly less elegant brand of hoops once he moved east. He’s also the current Heat team president, the man responsible for luring LeBron […]
Hon Inc. and ‘pulling a Danny’
Judging by the reader responses to news that the word “Hon” has been trademarked, some Baltimoreans might have a new name for Cafe Hon owner Denise Whiting: Atilla. The great John McIntyre explains why this touches a nerve: What leads to the raised voices is the question of ownership of language. And with that question […]
The search for Funky Black Chick
Remember the federal trademark infringement case of Funky Brown Chick v. Funky Black Chick? Well, for all the publicity that attended the lawsuit’s filing in November, next to nothing has happened since. Not that the four big-firm lawyers who have entered their appearances on behalf of New York writer Twanna Hines, their paralegal, two process […]
It’s no secret: ‘Tarnished’ Victoria wins trademark suit
The name was changed eight years ago, and even a Supreme Court victory in 2003 didn’t bring it back. Now, a federal judge has ordered “Victor’s Little Secret” to remain under wraps forever. To recap: Victor’s Little Secret was an adult novelty and lingerie store operated by Cathy and Victor Moseley in Elizabethtown, Ky., not […]
