The ice-cream company that gave the world Schweddy Balls and Karamel Sutra isn’t apparently amused by somebody using the name Ben & Cherry’s. Perhaps Ben & Jerry’s discomfort comes from the fact that the somebody in question is a hardcore porn film producer.

The Vermont-based, Unilever-owned B&J’s has filed a trademark suit against B&C’s, the Associated Press reports, in order to stop them “tarnish(ing)” the ice-cream maker’s name.

Ben & Cherry’s doesn’t just use a variation of the B&J’s name and logo on its films; it also gives its videos names based on Ben & Jerry’s flavors. Witness "Boston Cream Thigh," at right, ''New York Fat & Chunky," and "Peanut Butter D-Cup," the AP reports. Not only that, the packaging of the films contains elements that appear on Ben & Jerry’s packaging, such as “a grazing cow, green grass and large white puffy clouds.”

It's not that Ben & Jerry’s is averse to hanky panky; after all, the brand using a more G-rated bit of romance – spooning (get it?) – to help sell its new Greek Frozen Yogurt.Continue reading...

At least some bunny loves Playboy.

Yes, the brand's founder Hugh Hefner has succeeded in his buyout bid for the company, meaning Playboy will once again be private. Plus, the old swinger is getting married again; indeed, everything old is new again.

But, like other, ahem, things in Hefner's life these days, he needed a little help getting the job done.

A private equity group that ponied up that cash will own a 60% stake in Playboy, with Hefner claiming 37%.

It's a management change and business dealing, but what will it mean for a brand that, of late, has been making news — not all of it particularly sexy?Continue reading...