The Super Bowl -- it's about football and parties and a city rallying together over a unified desire to beat that other city that's gone football mad.
But, really, it's about business and the NFL is a big one -- one willing to look ridiculous to protect its brand.
The league is claiming that it owns the phrase "Who Dat?'"
NFL spokesman Brian Mcarthy: "If 'who dat' is used in a manner to refer to Saints football, then the Saints own the rights."
Someone knows how to take the fun out of things! The league is sending cease and desist letters to local businesses selling homegrown "who dat"-related items, several of which, according to The Wall Street Journal, are complying because they are the size of a kick off tee and the NFL is a left tackle.
Some will argue that if the NFL did not protect its "brand" in situations like this it would be in a tough position in important infringement cases when the opposing side would point out the instances in which the NFL just turned a blind eye.
But the league does have the option of making the statement, sending letters to the larger infringers and then moving along.
We are fairly certain there has been unauthorized "who dat?" Saints t-shirts in New Orleans for a while now. It's always when your team hits the big time that the big time player becomes interested.
The Wall Street Journal has a full report, complete with other New Orleans lingo not to be missed. The dat-filled headline: Who Dat Owns 'Who Dat'? Dat's Us, Sez da NFL
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See Also:
- Tough Hits But No Clear Winner In Supreme Court NFL Antitrust Case
- Gameday! The NFL Hopes To Tackle The Supreme Court
- War Story: It's Easier To Cross-Examine A Priest Than A Legendary Football Coach
Full story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/businessinsider/~3/UIbJV_-YVK4/who-dat-annoying-new-orleans-vendors-the-nfl-2010-1
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