Close Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Law
  • Business
  • Education

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

What's Hot

Alabama Expected to Issue Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Soon

June 24, 2025

RAW Rolling Papers Founder Buys High Times

June 24, 2025

Australian Publishers Face Legal Action for Cannabis Advertisements

June 20, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Tuesday, June 24
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn VKontakte
Smoke Professional
  • Home
  • News

    More Than 1,000 Arrested in Sweep of U.K. Weed Grows

    July 8, 2023

    Scotland Calls On UK To End ‘Failed’ Drug War With Decriminalization And Harm Reduction Approach

    July 8, 2023

    Germany’s draft law for first phase of cannabis reform

    July 8, 2023

    High Times Cannabis Cup Illinois: People’s Choice Edition 2023 Kicks Off

    July 8, 2023

    Pennsylvania Committee Advances Expansion to State Medical Cannabis Program

    July 7, 2023
  • Lifestyle

    How Watching the News Can Trigger Anxiety and Panic Attacks

    October 28, 2024

    Record High Cannabis and Hallucinogen Use Among Adults

    October 27, 2024

    Weekend Sleep Catch-Up May Lower Heart Disease Risk by 20%

    October 27, 2024

    Energy Drinks Linked to Poor Sleep Quality and Insomnia

    October 26, 2024

    First Psychedelic Church for Magic Mushrooms

    October 26, 2024
  • Law

    Republican Lawmakers Kill Cannabis Legalization Provisions in Wisconsin Gov’s Budget Proposal

    June 16, 2025

    Pennsylvania Senate Committee Rejects Adult-Use Legalization Bill

    June 15, 2025

    Results from Swiss Cannabis Pilot Program Suggest Legalization Reduces Problematic Cannabis Use

    June 14, 2025

    Study: Cannabis Use Among Older Adults Higher Than Ever

    June 13, 2025

    North Carolina Gov. Creates Advisory Council to Explore Cannabis Reforms

    June 12, 2025
  • Business

    Alabama Expected to Issue Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Soon

    June 24, 2025

    RAW Rolling Papers Founder Buys High Times

    June 24, 2025

    Australian Publishers Face Legal Action for Cannabis Advertisements

    June 20, 2025

    Hemp Companies Sue Maryland Over Cannabis Licensing

    June 19, 2025

    Missouri Hemp Groups Seek to Deregulate Cannabis via Ballot Initiative

    June 19, 2025
  • Education

    CBD and the Aging Population—What Science Says Today

    March 12, 2025

    Wholesale Nootropic Skincare: Boost Your Product Line

    March 10, 2025

    Ideal for Your Business Needs

    March 8, 2025

    A Must-have For Every Smoke Shop

    March 3, 2025

    The Perfect Addition to Your Product Line

    March 1, 2025
Smoke Professional
You are at:Home»Business»McCormick Sues Cannabis Company Over Parody Sticker
Business

McCormick Sues Cannabis Company Over Parody Sticker

adminBy adminOctober 17, 2023No Comments5 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
McCormick Sues Cannabis Company Over Parody Sticker
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Annapolis, Maryland-based cannabis company Crabcakes & Cannabis®, pulled a popular parody sticker after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from McCormick & Company, Incorporated, the makers of Old Bay® seasoning, who said their sticker was too similar to their Old Bay logo. 

Crabcakes & Cannabis took the opportunity to challenge the implications of a Supreme Court decision last June that is impacting all types of small businesses. The issue brings up the question that if parodies aren’t allowed, are we taking trademark laws too far?

The novelty sticker parodies the Old Bay spice jar, but it ended up prompting a lawsuit as McCormick alleges a trademark infringement and tarnishing of their image by associating it with cannabis.

“While we firmly believe in the protection of parody and First Amendment rights, the prohibitive cost of litigation led us to make the difficult decision to discontinue our parody sticker,” Founder of Crabcakes & Cannabis Jennifer Culpepper said in a statement We stand by the fact that no reasonable consumer would confuse our novelty item with a food seasoning product.”

The cease and desist letter sent from McCormick & Company claims that the parody sticker, featuring the words “420 BUD” and designed in a way that’s reminiscent of the Old Bay jar, infringed upon their trademark and trade dress, potentially harming their brand’s reputation. 

Per the letter, McCormick stated that the company “takes this matter very seriously, as it is not in the business of sponsoring products relating to marijuana use.”

Culpepper continued, “We deeply respect businesses’ (and artists’) rights to safeguard their brands, but it is paramount that we strike a balance between these rights and the freedom of expression and creativity that parody affords. When a large business bullies a small business through costly litigation, it makes standing up for your rights nearly impossible. Regardless, we still love Old Bay. Our parody sticker was intended to pay homage to the Maryland brand, not to tarnish anyone’s reputation.”

Culpepper also owns Brand Joint, a national branding agency, and she has been on the other side of a copyright infringement case in the past. She stated, “We have always been very careful not to copy, but rather to create fun and unique parody designs that celebrate Maryland icons.”

The company hopes something good can come out of the incident for the better.

Culpepper concluded, “We hope that this experience will spark a broader conversation about the importance of protecting parody and freedom of expression in our society.

Jack Daniel’s SCOTUS Decision

Last June, a dog toy company Bad Spaniels triggered a lawsuit saying that the company copied elements of Jack Daniels that violated trademark laws.

Jack Daniel’s Properties v. VIP Products rejected the use of images that resemble Jack Daniel’s trademarks by a manufacturer selling a line of dog toys that mock various beverage manufacturers. Justice Elena Kagan said there were four main elements used by Bad Spaniels that violated trademark laws:

  • The toy “is about the same size and shape as an ordinary bottle of Jack Daniel’s”;
  • The “faux bottle” follows the original in using a “black label with stylized white text and a white filigreed border”;
  • The toy has the product name (Bad Spaniels) “in a like font and arch” to those of the Jack Daniel’s bottle; and
  • “Old No. 2 On Your Tennessee Carpet” replaces “Old No. 7 Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey.”

All members of the court agreed with Justice Kagan’s opinion to deem that toy a condemnable infringement of the Jack Daniel’s marks.

Cannabis and Candy Trademark Cases

A number of other cannabis companies have faced similar lawsuits—particularly cannabis products that mimic or parody major candy brands.

Skittles maker Mars Wrigley won a lawsuit in August 2022 against cannabis companies that mimicked the candy. Mars initially filed the lawsuit in May 2021, claiming that the illegal retailers infringed on Mars’s registered trademarks. 

Mars Canada Inc., global candy giant and Mars Wrigley, which oversees confections such as of M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, ORBIT®, EXTRA® and Skittles®, recently concluded a lawsuit involving the use of the Skittles logo on illegal cannabis products. On Aug. 12, a federal Judge Patrick Gleeson ruled that three online cannabis retailers “deliver up and destroy all infringing products and packaging,” and also pay various sums for infringing upon Mars’s trademark.

In August 2017, the Ohio-based glue company that produces Gorilla Glue took GG Strains to court due to the use of “Gorilla Glue” in numerous strain names. In February 2018, the company went after cannabis companies who were infringing upon the Hershey’s Chocolate trademarked products. In February 2019, a group of delivery businesses called United Pot Smokers, UPS420, and THCPlant, were brought to court by UPS (United Parcel Service) regarding misleading brand identifiers. Later in July 2019, Sour Patch Kids candy maker targeted an illegal cannabis edibles product called “Stoney Patch” for infringing upon the trademark.

Source link

cannabis Company McCormick Parody Sticker Sues
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleStudy: LSD Use On the Rise Among American Business Leaders
Next Article Utah Startup Applies to Sell Cannabis DUI Insurance in Oregon
admin
  • Website

Related Posts

Alabama Expected to Issue Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Soon

June 24, 2025

RAW Rolling Papers Founder Buys High Times

June 24, 2025

Australian Publishers Face Legal Action for Cannabis Advertisements

June 20, 2025

Comments are closed.

Our Picks

Alabama Expected to Issue Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Soon

June 24, 2025

RAW Rolling Papers Founder Buys High Times

June 24, 2025

Australian Publishers Face Legal Action for Cannabis Advertisements

June 20, 2025

Hemp Companies Sue Maryland Over Cannabis Licensing

June 19, 2025
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't Miss
Business

Alabama Expected to Issue Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Soon

By adminJune 24, 20250

Medical cannabis dispensary licenses in Alabama are expected to be issued soon, following years of…

RAW Rolling Papers Founder Buys High Times

June 24, 2025

Australian Publishers Face Legal Action for Cannabis Advertisements

June 20, 2025

Hemp Companies Sue Maryland Over Cannabis Licensing

June 19, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from Smoke Unlimited about Weed & CBD vaping.

From Our Partners
About Us
About Us

Get all the current news stories, latest trends and legislation regarding cannabidiol, products, usages and its benefits. So don’t miss out any buzz and stay tuned! We offer a minute to minute updates regarding Marijuana industry.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
Our Picks

Alabama Expected to Issue Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licenses Soon

June 24, 2025

RAW Rolling Papers Founder Buys High Times

June 24, 2025

Australian Publishers Face Legal Action for Cannabis Advertisements

June 20, 2025
Sponsors
Copyright © 2025. SmokeProfessional
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.