How unfortunate is it that the Pez candy company has no sense of humor? The San Mateo Daily Journal is reporting that
Connecticut-based Pez candy isn’t so sweet on the Burlingame shop boasting about housing “the world’s largest dispenser of Pez” and selling T-shirts emblazoned with “Got Pez?” The company sued owners Gary and Nancy Doss in federal court, claiming they misled people into erroneously thinking the museum and its wares are formally connected with the candy company.
The intellectual property suit was filed June 22 in the California Northern District Court and seeks unspecified damages of trademark infringement and destruction of the fraudulent Pez. In addition to the Dosses, the suit by Pez Candy, Inc. and Patrafico AG names Computer Spectrum of Burlingame.
That is a great picture of local man-about-town Gary Doss and the giant non-Pez-brand candy dispenser. You would think Pez would appreciate the labor of love museum.
I don't understand why PEZ, Inc. would want to make trouble for someone who is promoting it's brand more than they do.
In fact, this action harms their brand.
I hope that PEZ will see the error in it's ways and let the Burlingame Museum of PEZ Memorabilia continue to thrive.
Posted by: Russ | July 01, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Is this all about them profiting from the use of the trademark? If they sell only items manufactured by Pez, I don't see what the issue is.
Posted by: JROC | July 01, 2009 at 06:22 PM
Gary Doss said Thursday that the couple has hired Mountain View-based Fenwick & West LLP to represent them.
Posted by: Russ | July 10, 2009 at 08:32 AM
Wonder what happened with this. Boo to Pez for this frivolous suit!
Posted by: Kathryn | January 09, 2010 at 11:56 PM
the real pez inventor guy just died. rip.
Posted by: avatar | January 10, 2010 at 01:39 PM