Trademark Infringement Case Not So Sweet for Mars
Candy company sued for using Zorro in M&M commercial.
March 30, 2010 at 08:00 PM
1 minute read
The original version of this story was published on Law.com
For years Mars has been dressing up its M&Ms as various fictional characters for its commercials, but it may have crossed the line when it decided to dress one up like Zorro, the black-clad masked outlaw made popular in comic books.
Zorro Prods.–the owners of the rights to the Zorro character–are suing Mars and BBDO Worldwide, its advertising agency. The plaintiff alleges Mars and BBDO infringed on its Zorro trademark and trade dress. Zorro Prods. says the violation was exacerbated when Mars placed its own trademark registration over the Zorro candy character. Alleged damages are at least $500,000.
Read “Zorro Sues Over Masked M&Ms Character” in the Hollywood Reporter.
Also, read TechDirt's take on the suit: “Who Is That Masked Chocolate Candy? Zorro Slashes M&Ms Over Trademark“
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