TNF sues teen over "the south butt"

So, apparently, TNF has joined the ranks of Metallica in getting their undies in a bunch over some teen that still lives with their mom.

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/2009121…

They're suing over copyright infringement because the boy is selling stuff that says "the south butt" and has an altered TNF logo. I think the clothing is obnoxious, but suing the kids seems a bit beneath them, if you ask me.

What's your thoughts?

Evan

Sorry, whether you like the clothing or not, little Jimmy needs to think of something original. TNF has the right to sue to protect its image, logo, and intellectual property. Even parodies must seek legal permission to use well-known, copyrighted, corporate logos from their owners - it appears little Jimmy did not do this.

PS: - Oh yeah, Jimmy is 18 years old...an adult, at least legally.

Actually, a lawyer can correct me if I am wrong but it is my understanding that if a trademark holder does not defend their trademark, and knowingly lets an offender slide... they can lose the mark.

I wonder if little Jimmy knows "The South Butt" is an equally relevant mountain geography term.

Andy Laakmann wrote:Actually, a lawyer can correct me if I am wrong but it is my understanding that if a trademark holder does not defend their trademark, and knowingly lets an offender slide... they can lose the mark.

Here's a side-by-side of the logo's.
content.usatoday.com/commun…

Andy Laakmann wrote:"The South Butt has previously made it clear to the North Face that the consuming public is insightful enough to know the difference between a face and a butt," he said in a statement. Depends on the face I guess.....

I'm curious to see if this holds up in court. Regardless, looks like Jimmy is going to get a ton of orders in the mean time from the publicity.

Different logo, different font, and different text. I dont see the problem. Thankfully Im also not a trademark lawyer.

This guy should be sued too!

lol omg wtf...I remember that J-Rat altered the old tsunami picture from the Chouinard catalog; renamed it "Jratonia"-"Disastrously Good Gear", and put it on T shirts. Patagonia didn't find it amusing-sent him a cease and desist letter; so he printed the letter on the back of the remaining shirts. Now there's a collectors item.
As to tnf suing the guy; seems weak, but if they are obligated to keep the copyright, I guess it makes sense.

with the purchase of Ranier NP by the Eddie Bauer line; I was looking for some items to wear on my next excursion

I am curious how much TSB sales have increased since the lawsuit publicity. Funny, but unoriginal I don't think he deserves to be sued, but he is a big phony.

The North Farce?
Take a hundred dollar jacket, sew a North Farce logo on it and it sells for three hundred. What a hoot.
It's like PT Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute"
I wouldn't be caught dead wearing that crap.
Favorite clothing of affluent posers.
The North Farce off of Colorado Blvd and I-25 here in Denver is the only company that never paid me for guidebooks they ordered from me.
They still owe me. Cheap bastards.

Forestvonsinkafinger wrote:..he is a big phony.

I think this is freaking hilarious and I'll actually probably end up buying a hoodie. It will go well with the "North Face" fanny pack I bought in China for $3 that has the logo upside down.

Not a business I would have started, but definitely amusing.

A big phony? Needs to think of something original? You guys can't be serious. Have none of you ever laughed at a parody movie? Are you too sophisticated for that? It was a fucking joke. The kid was making fun of a company that sells over-priced clothes to a target market comprised mostly of people who rarely come closer to adverse weather than seeing it on TV. I doubt the kid was trying to come into riches with the company. It was a joke, and pretty funny in my opinion.

Ryan Kelly wrote:A big phony? Needs to think of something original? You guys can't be serious. Have none of you ever laughed at a parody movie? Are you too sophisticated for that? It was a fucking joke. The kid was making fun of a company that sells over-priced clothes to a target market comprised mostly of people who rarely come closer to adverse weather than seeing it on TV. I doubt the kid was trying to come into riches with the company. It was a joke, and pretty funny in my opinion.

The Article wrote:The company threatened legal action in August after learning of Winkelmann's site. He refused, and in September offered to sell his company to The North Face for $1 million. North Face was not amused.