Hall And Oates Suing Over Granola Called ‘Haulin’ Oats’
The music legends claim in their Brooklyn federal suit that Red Hook-based Early Bird is profiting off their fame. “The name and mark Haulin’ Oats is an obvious play upon Plaintiff’s well-known Hall & Oates mark, and was selected by defendant in an effort to trade off of the fame and notoriety associated with the artist’s and plaintiff’s well-known marks,” the suit states.
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D.B. Hirsch is a political activist, news junkie, and retired ad copy writer and spin doctor. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Suzanne McFly March 5th, 2015 at 10:25 am
Doesn’t this company sort or resurrect the name and possibly help them sell a couple more songs? I don’t see what the complaint is, I haven’t thought of Hall and Oats since the 80’s unless you count my morning oatmeal.
tucker March 5th, 2015 at 12:17 pm
But “Daryl’s House” is great….just him, playing with some absolutely amazing talent over the past few years. The thought of hearing “Maneater” sends me into orbit, but this “Daryl” is amazing. Lots of it on youtube…..
Larry Schmitt March 5th, 2015 at 10:31 am
“Music legends?” Bit of a stretch, isn’t it?
bpollen March 5th, 2015 at 3:45 pm
Only in the same sense that the 1910 Fruitgum Company or the Archies or the Pipkins are legends.
Larry Schmitt March 5th, 2015 at 10:42 am
In the linked story, the suit claims that they “sold more albums that any other duo in music history.” A little research shows that Simon & Garfunkel are #97 on the list of top 100 selling acts (59.5 million), Hall & Oates don’t show up. Even the Monkees, at #100, sold more than they did. Their suit should be tossed just for that.
arc99 March 5th, 2015 at 11:09 am
Kind of off topic, but according to the credits of their excellent documentary, the house band of the original Motown Records known as the “Funk Brothers” performed on more top 10 hits than other band in the history of recording.
Unfortunately, most of those fine musicians never saw a penny of the riches they generated for other people. The bass player James Jamerson who played on most of the original Temptations hits and is cited as in influence by a host of modern day bass players died in poverty.
In any case, Hall and Oates have to protect their trademark or they lose it. Then any two guys could cruise around the country calling themselves Hall & Oates.
William March 5th, 2015 at 11:24 am
Living in the shadow of Motown is perhaps (in my humble opinion) the greatest documentary ever produced. More than music, a part of our rich history of art and culture.
arc99 March 5th, 2015 at 11:40 am
I agree William. I am not much for crying at movies, especially documentaries. But there was that one scene with the guitar player who played the opening lick to the Temptations tune My Girl.
He talked about how he once considered telling people that was him playing those iconic opening notes but decided against it, fearing they would think he was just a delusional old man.
that brought a tear to my eye.
William March 5th, 2015 at 12:09 pm
Not much for tears either, but the final set when they posted the deceased musicians photos in front of the stand ins. Wow. Powerful stuff.
Bob Babbitt relating how he was treated as an equal, despite the fact that he was the minority in such a racist era.
http://youtu.be/OrLoxMPS8Ic
bluejayray March 5th, 2015 at 12:03 pm
What if that was actually their names?
rg9rts March 6th, 2015 at 6:15 am
We had a local ginmill named Chi Chi’s that went back to the 50’s when the Chi Chi’s corp formed they forced them to change their name
bluejayray March 6th, 2015 at 12:36 pm
That’s just wrong. Chi Chi is a common nickname, isn’t it?
rg9rts March 6th, 2015 at 3:59 pm
Nick name …not a business name.. so if you open a business copyright the name
William March 5th, 2015 at 11:23 am
Hmmmm.
After Boehner’s disgraceful interlude with Bibi, I wonder if these guys can sue the speaker of the house?
bluejayray March 5th, 2015 at 12:01 pm
Oh thank you! I’m glad I stopped by for the chuckles. My favorite so far is the guy who sued when he got burned by his sizzling platter while putting his face in it to pray.
tucker March 5th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
First LOL of the day….thank you William!! 😀
rg9rts March 6th, 2015 at 6:06 am
I needed that….
FatRat March 5th, 2015 at 11:49 am
As long as they don’t sue Garfunkel and Oates, it’s all good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8ZF_R_j0OY
The Loophole by Garfunkel and Oates
bluejayray March 5th, 2015 at 11:59 am
That’s kinda funny. I was never a fan, and I thought that “Haulin’ Oats” was the name of the band.
rg9rts March 6th, 2015 at 6:05 am
Its sort of how Xerox feels when you xerox something
bluejayray March 6th, 2015 at 12:37 pm
I never got the hang of calling it xeroxing.
Bunya March 5th, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Hall & Oates should be grateful that someone’s willing to keep them relevant. I mean, let’s face it – they’re no Jimi Hendrix or Rolling Stones, fer God’s sake.
rg9rts March 6th, 2015 at 6:04 am
That’s not the point…Its inappropriate usage of their name”trade mark” they should have contacted they and made $$$ arrangements
tucker March 5th, 2015 at 7:09 pm
test
rg9rts March 6th, 2015 at 5:59 am
Go for it