We swear we had nothing to do with this, though the timing is perfect for our Cheers Week.
CBS Studios is suing a bar in Rockford, Illinois for using the Cheers name. TMZ has the documents. The court papers say that the bar is not only using the same name as the famous Boston bar from the TV show (which has spawned several other bars and many collectibles), they're also using a similar logo. They're accusing the bar of trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition. The name of the bar in question is Cheers of Rockford (here's their web site).
The court documents are really interesting (if long). They really get into the history of the show, what has happened to the show since it ended in 1993, and what trademarks CBS owns. You can also see a comparison of the original Cheers logo and the one used by the Rockford bar.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-11-2008 @ 7:09PM
tingrin87 said...
the "Cheers of Rockford" logo looks more like the Coca-cola logo to me, the way the C has a loop, and another letter trails off to be an underline
Reply
7-11-2008 @ 11:49PM
BartmanDK said...
Yea your right, it looks more like the Cola then the Cheers logo
7-11-2008 @ 11:27PM
John said...
Next, James Garner sues Rockford for stealing the name from The Rockford Files, despite having been formed 140 years earlier.
Reply
7-12-2008 @ 1:13AM
0megapart!cle said...
I was thinking it was a little silly too, until you see that CBS has a history of licensing the CHEERS name to bars. This is directly infringing on that use, and since there are several licensed CHEERS bars out there, most people will think this is an official CHEERS bar.
As much as copyright law, and trademark law, is broken, and in desperate need of reform, this is a pretty clear case. They blatantly infringed, and are trying to associate themselves with the show, and people could be easily confused, since there are some 20 licensed CHEERS bars out there.
Reply
7-12-2008 @ 1:14AM
0megapart!cle said...
I was thinking it was a little silly too, until you see that CBS has a history of licensing the CHEERS name to bars. This is directly infringing on that use, and since there are several licensed CHEERS bars out there, most people will think this is an official CHEERS bar.
As much as copyright law, and trademark law, is broken, and in desperate need of reform, this is a pretty clear case. They blatantly infringed, and are trying to associate themselves with the show, and people could be easily confused, since there are some 20 licensed CHEERS bars out there.
Reply
7-12-2008 @ 11:39AM
grumpyoldman said...
I don't remember Sam Malone ever selling a "Big Ass Cheese Burger", but if I'm ever in Rockford, I'm stopping in for one!!
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7-12-2008 @ 12:06PM
Argus said...
I wonder if they could sue this bar too:
http://jvangurp.com/halifaxcams/images/cheers_s.jpg
Or if its exempt since its in Canada.
Reply
7-13-2008 @ 1:47AM
Owen Uridge said...
Maybe a lawsuit for all of the bars called:
Scoreboards
Coaches
End zone
"Insert first name here" Place
Reply
7-14-2008 @ 9:54AM
not the same said...
under the trademark law it has to be the same to have infringements agaist them if you look at the C in cheers of rockford they are connected to the H and the S is different too.And also the name of the bar is Cheers of rockford not just Cheers go figure.That is the difference in the whole thing.If they want to go after the bar in Rockford than the should go after every bar with the name and logo of cheers. Have a wonderful day .
Bill from Rockford,Il
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