rick12string
Caught in the Crossfire
They’re just jealous of Pete’s cigars.
Altadis has officially brought a lawsuit to Tatuaje...
- Thread starter cc jefe
- Start date
The Saints and France, however, have it trademarked/claimed as a symbol of a state. I agree that this is silly, but the lack of (as I understand it) trademarking by either leads to the likely conclusion that Altadis wins because of their longstanding use of the fleur.
I would like to see Altidas produce truthful, non-expert, witness testimony (testimony from real people) that Tatuaje's use of the symbol has or could cost Altidas any market/brand confusion or sales loss.
IMO, for what it is worth, Tatuaje has everything to lose ($$$$) and nothing to gain by fighting this fight. Tatuaje will not lose any sales at all by dropping the symbol. I realize that this may be a matter of principal to Pete Johnson and others who support him in the cigar industry, but I bet making great cigars and selling more of them is more profitable, more fun and a hell of a lot less stressful than litigation with Altidas.
Does anyone know whether it is Altidas, SA or Altidas USA which filed suit? Are the two companies related in any way? I think it is time for all Pete Johnson customers who think this is B.S. to boycott whichever Altidas filed the lawsuit!
I see that Tatuaje filed suit against Altidas just a couple months ago in California, and that Altidas just filed suit against Tatuaje and others in Florida. This is very interesting as Altidas added several more defendants, which included bringing Pepin and others into the lawsuit. This may be a technique to harass and grind-down Tatuaje and the others. Anyhow, the Judge who the case in Florida was assigned to is very sharp and has an excellent reputation...
Most do already! People who smoke Tats regularly probably aren't smoking sticks put out by Altidas USA. That being said everyone that's ever smoked a Tat can boycott them and it would be a pimple on the Camels ass.
Mitch
BOM 2/09-Keeper BOTtLe
In bussiness when a giant has a monopoly or dominates market share they spend money to defend their market share, pointless lawsuits can eat up the resources of small competitors and sometimes wipe them out completely. It's bussiness math, I'll waste 1% of my resources to eat up 40% of my competitors so I can gain their market share.
It sure will. If I'm not mistaken, they're also not making a claim purely on the fleur but rather a specific version of the fleur (the one Pete uses). I also thought I had read somewhere that Altadis had trademarked that specific fleur a few months ago for more backing behind their lawsuit - which may get them in trouble since they're more or less bullying Tatuaje.
The fleur as I understand it is a public domain-type of symbol, but if a specific fleur is infringed upon, then it can become the basis of a lawsuit - the same idea as Pete having to use 'The Frank', 'The Drac', etc. instead of 'Frankenstein' or 'Dracula' as to not infringe upon a specific character (again, if I'm not mistaken, those are trademarked by movie studios, but the idea of a Frankenstein monster or an elitist vampire are public domain).
I don't think that Pete will want to give up the link to CC's, but I think he is smart enough to let it go so that he doesn't sink the ship.
I'm actually interested to see what he comes up with if it comes to that.
I'm actually interested to see what he comes up with if it comes to that.
Mitch
BOM 2/09-Keeper BOTtLe
I'm not a lawer, but I do business stratagy so here are some thoughts. First off Atidas is not makeing a brilliant move, simply by bringing the law suite they are recognizing that Tatuaje is the up and coming cigar brand, which hurts their brand image and helps Pete's. Pete would never had been sued if he hadn't gotten their attention.
Next, he can't just not fight the law suite, they are likely asking for a very unreasonable sum of damages, so even a settlement I'm sure would sting, assuming they will settle. I'm intrested to see what they want, the more unreasonable the asking, the more afraid of where they see Pete headed.
Anyway, we all will buy Pete's cigars even if he changes the bands, maybe he can get rid of that offensive symbol and put a little "FUA" in it's place.
Next, he can't just not fight the law suite, they are likely asking for a very unreasonable sum of damages, so even a settlement I'm sure would sting, assuming they will settle. I'm intrested to see what they want, the more unreasonable the asking, the more afraid of where they see Pete headed.
Anyway, we all will buy Pete's cigars even if he changes the bands, maybe he can get rid of that offensive symbol and put a little "FUA" in it's place.
Mitch, that is the direction they will most likely move. Pete might remove the "FdL" and replace it with something else. That symbol however, will not change the ultimate make up of his cigars which is fine. The "FUA" personally is very enjoyable and fitting!
best of luck to you Pete.
I've never met him but from the interviews I've seen he is really proud of the FdL and how he uses it in every brand etc. If they really trademarked the logo he was using so they could sue him then thats low. I support boycotting them, you realise this not only means Altadis USA but all Habanos. I'm in.
Peace, Nick
I've never met him but from the interviews I've seen he is really proud of the FdL and how he uses it in every brand etc. If they really trademarked the logo he was using so they could sue him then thats low. I support boycotting them, you realise this not only means Altadis USA but all Habanos. I'm in.
Peace, Nick
AlohaStyle
BoM Sept '12 & Aug '13
Does anyone have access to Florida PACER system? You need a user account to access the case summary etc and I was wondering if anyone can copy/paste the summary or PM me?
Thanks :waving:
