In the world of Southern cooking, ‘fish fry’ is more than just a recipe—it’s a social institution. But for Zatarain’s, the legendary New Orleans spice company, the term became the center of a decades-long legal battle. At stake was a fundamental question of food law: can a company own the exclusive rights to a name … Read more
We use the term bundt pan and bundt cake generically for a type of cake pan and a type of cake baked in this pan. However, the term BUNDT for a fluted and scalloped ring-shaped tube pan is trademarked by Northland Aluminum, makers of NordicWare. The trademark case of the term “Bundt” for a type of cake mix provides … Read more
In the 1970s, Miller Brewing Company attempted to do the impossible: own a common word. By spelling ‘Light’ as ‘Lite,’ the company argued they had created a unique brand name that no other brewer could touch. What followed was one of the most significant trademark battles in beverage history. Miller didn’t just lose the case; … Read more
It is a common assumption that “they wouldn’t sell it if it weren’t safe.” Is this a safe assumption? Do dietary supplements have to be approved by the FDA before they are sold? Do they need to have clinical trials to prove they work and are safe? Just as it is a common assumption that … Read more
The McDonald’s scalding coffee lawsuit brought by Stella Liebeck in 1992 is well-known enough that the Legal Eagle himself talked about it on YouTube (I got to it first, thank you very much). We both revealed that there was more to this case than met the eye. The Goliath Effect had a lot to do … Read more
Usually, when you buy fresh potatoes they seem clean. At other times, you may notice a small amount of visible dirt on the surface of the potato. Potatoes grow as a root under the soil, so they certainly are not clean when harvested. This variability in cleanliness makes people wonder whether commercial potatoes are washed … Read more