The NFL is claiming trademark infringement over the use of the phrase “Who Dat’ in t-shirts. The NFL is sending cease-and–desist letters to several T-shirt makers in New Orleans demanding that they stop selling the shirts with the slogan. The league says, “the shirts, some of which use the “Who Dat?’ slogan along with the Saint’s fleur-de-lis logo, infringe on a legal trademark.” However Saint fans are saying the NFL cannot trademark a phrase that has been around for 150 years. The chant has been around longer then the Saints. While the origin to the phrase is unsure. Some claim it came about in the late 19th century in vaudeville routines. It was also used in a Marx Brothers' performance “ Who Dat Man.” The chant,“ Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints,’ is shorten for signs and shirts. It has been used to cheer for the Saints since the 1980s. Republican Senator David Vitter wrote a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell asking the league to concede that the slogan is public domain. Vitter said, “ Please drop your present ridiculous position or sue me.”
I personally think it is a bad move on behalf of the NFL. The league claims it is just a big understanding. However as soon as Tom Benson, owner of the Saints, found out they were going to the Super bowl he applied for a "Who Dat" trademark. I think fans believe in their team and want to support their team using a slogan they cherish. While the NFL,of course, just wants to secure profits.
No comments:
Post a Comment