Thread: Your Bailout Dollars at Work: Citi Sues Pawn Shop

You'd think Citigroup would have bigger things to worry about these days than paying $1,000-an-hour lawyers to face off against a rinky-dink pawn shop in Brooklyn. Think again. Last week, the banking giant filed suit against All Citi Pawn on Neptune Avenue in Brooklyn for ripping off the bank's name and logo.

In court papers, Skadden Arps' Ken Plevan, argued that the pawn shop is "tarnishing the extraordinary reputation of Citi," which he (rather generously) described as "one of the largest and most renowned banking and financial services institutions in the world."

The bank is now suing All Citi for trademark infringement, dilution, false designation of origin, and unfair competition. But can a business that is profitable (which we're guessing the pawn shop is) really "dilute the value" of Citigroup when it's the bank—and not the pawn shop—that has reported record losses and had to rely on a government bailout to stay afloat?

Hahaha.

Cityfile: Your Bailout Dollars at Work: Citi Sues Pawn Shop

Citi has no case concerning trademark infringement as "arc like" doesn't quite cut it. One is an arc and the other is clearly not an arc. A professional in branding could argue that the arc is representing "covering all" while the pawn shops rooftop shape could represent the community. It would be interesting for someone to call a marketing professional to the stand to argue the differences in the designs in relation to US Copyright and Trademark Law.

The gist of the suit is listed as damage the company CitiGroup will suffer, or may have suffered, because of confusion from customers. In order to obtain suit on that they will have to prove they will or are likely to suffer damage, or if they have already, designate where. There is also language in the suit that states the Pawn Shop has intentions of profit gain through exploitation of the logo. They will have to prove that too.

Thanks for the new Avatar Blue!!!

Originally Posted by michaelr

Thanks for the new Avatar Blue!!!

I'm going to sue you.

you all are just way to much... LOL thanks you make my day

"Tarnishing the reputation of Citi"... :laughing:

Gotta love it!







Citibank is now sponsoring all the financial reports on all the local radio stations. ALL of 'em.

Where'd they get the money to do somethin' like that?

Hm... we're paying these guys to battle for market share! The most expensive game of all!

Oy....

Originally Posted by michaelr

Thanks for the new Avatar Blue!!!

Thank Elaiine Meinel Supkis - that's where I got it. She rocks.