So you’re surveying the shelf at the grocery store and have the choice between “Slap Ya Mama” and “Punch Ya Daddy” seasonings, made by two different companies. Which do you choose? Is the packaging confusing? The makers of "Slap Ya Mama" Cajun seasoning, Walker & Sons, thought yes, and filed a trademark infringement suit last year.

The spice war recently reached boiling proportions and a federal judge ordered "Punch Ya Daddy" to change its logo and packaging, which was deemed too similar. It was determined to be damaging the plaintiff's business. The name, however, is fine. The judge ruled that “Slap Ya Mama” is a common term in the Bayou, while “Punch Ya Daddy,” a name concocted by a child, is not.Continue reading...

It is a fate that has befallen so many businesses in these hard times that it is not even news anymore: Another restaurant is closing its doors on December 31. But this isn't just any restaurant, it is New York City's revered Tavern on the Green, a Central Park landmark since 1934.

The restaurant declared bankruptcy in September and its one-of-a-kind furnishings and collectibles -- chandeliers, murals, weathervanes, and more --  will be auctioned off in mid-January. But here's the interesting part of the story: the brand could live on if the family of owner Warner LeRoy, who died in 2001, wins a trademark fight with the city of New York.

Both the LeRoy family and New York recognize the brand value of the name "Tavern on the Green," which is already in use on cooking oils, gift items, and restaurant memorabilia. That's why the LeRoy family has engaged Streambank LLC, an advisory firm that deals in intellectual property.Continue reading...

The Dallas Cowboys $1.15 billion football stadium is open for business. And like many newborns, it has yet to be named.

AT&T isn't commenting on rumors that it's taken its brand off the table for Dallas, but a deal looks unlikely after the company became a sponsor of the nearby performing arts center. The pricetag for naming rights to Cowboys Stadium, said to exceed $20 million annually, isn't producing many other interested parties. The New York Times tried to help Dallas by soliciting reader suggestions ("The Ego Bowl”).Continue reading...

The label "Cadillac plan" has figured prominently in the healthcare reform debate, referring to top-of-the-line coverage.

But does the term speak to the power of the Cadillac brand as "luxury"? Indeed, is Cadillac a higher luxury than a BMW? Why not call it a "Mercedes plan"? While once synonymous with luxury, Cadillac has gone more proletariat in recent years, introducing an SUV model and the CTS, both of which target younger, more hip consumers.Continue reading...

Ever since cars began coming in more than just black, we've seen some fascinating approaches to car-naming. Citroën’s new Revolte (or REVOLTe) is no exception.

Released at the IAA Frankfurt Motorshow, the model is getting as much press for the name’s obvious, and somewhat problematic, associations as for the design of its retro, “ultra-chic” (and very purple) 2CV throwback.

Finding a model name that works around the world isn't easy. Before people can assess the product or design, they've heard the name. And if the product falls short, an odd name provides an easy opportunity for snark.Continue reading...