Citigroup Sues AT&T For Saying 'Thanks' To Customers

[Homerboy]

https://news.slashdot.org/story/16/06/16/2354228/citigroup-sues-att-for-saying-thanks-to-customers

The filing by Citigroup is very real and hilarious in its content and claims. First, the filing establishes just how connected "THANKYOU" is to Citigroup.

For many years, Citigroup has used trademarks consisting of and/or containing the term THANKYOU, including THANKYOU, CITI THANKYOU, CITIBUSINESS THANKYOU. THANKYOU FROM CITI, and THANKYOU YOUR WAY, in connection with a variety of customer loyalty, reward, incentive, and redemption programs (collectively, the “THANKYOU Marks”). As a result of Citigroup’s longstanding, extensive, and widespread use, marketing, and promotion of its THANKYOU Marks and services, Citigroup’s THANKYOU Marks are widely recognized by the general consuming public as a designation of source for Citigroup’s high quality financial services and customer loyalty, reward, incentive, and redemption programs.

 

[zerocool84]

Our great patent system let them have a trademark on Thank You.

 

[gorcorps]

Hmmm... I'd really like to get rid of my citi card as punishment for being so stupid. But it's my lowest interest card by far so I'd really just be punishing myself =/

 

[PottedMeat]

'FUCKYOU' has been in common use across all industries for decades

ATT lawyers: we want more monies
CITI lawyers: we want more monies too
<both>: hey, lets sue each other!
<both>: MONIES FOR ALL!

 

[vi edit]

Now that's some Monster level trolling.

 

[Jaepheth]

Thank you™ Obama.

 

[waggy]

https://news.slashdot.org/story/16/06/16/2354228/citigroup-sues-att-for-saying-thanks-to-customers

Oh fuck them. hope they lose and badly.

 

[Brainonska511]

It seems like it's a bit more than AT&T simply saying "thanks".

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/2...oup-sues-att-saying-thanks-to-customers.shtml

Despite actual knowledge of Citigroup&#8217;s substantial use of and exclusive rights in the THANKYOU Marks, Citigroup&#8217;s use of the marks in connection with AT&T co-branded credit cards, and Citigroup&#8217;s concerns regarding AT&T&#8217;s proposed trademarks, AT&T launched a customer loyalty program under the trademarks &#8220;thanks&#8221; and &#8220;AT&T thanks&#8221; on or about June 2, 2016. 4. AT&T&#8217;s use of the &#8220;thanks&#8221; and &#8220;AT&T thanks&#8221; trademarks is likely to cause consumer confusion and constitutes trademark infringement, false designation of origin, and unfair competition in violation of Citigroup&#8217;s rights. 5. Citigroup therefore seeks to enjoin AT&T&#8217;s infringing conduct and to recover damages based on the injury AT&T&#8217;s conduct has caused to Citigroup as well as AT&T&#8217;s unjust enrichment.
​

 

[TheGardener]

Those ThankYou rewards are useless. Worst in the industry tm.

 

[JSt0rm]

I think they should put both ceos in a cage together. Tie the left ankle of one to the left ankle of another and give each a pair of pliers and a kitchen torch. Trial by combat.

 

[cyclistca]

I think the only people that are confusing the two programs are the lawyers

 

[sdifox]

At&t has been saying thank you a lot longer than citicorp. Like operators old.

 

[kt]

Hmmm... I'd really like to get rid of my citi card as punishment for being so stupid. But it's my lowest interest card by far so I'd really just be punishing myself =/

If you had to pay interest on a credit card then you're already punishing yourself.

 

[Jeff7]

"Mom, love, and screen door are registered trademarks of MomCorp."

 

[quikah]

Nice clickbait headline.

 

[gorcorps]

If you had to pay interest on a credit card then you're already punishing yourself.

Shit happens that you can't always plan and pay in cash, so it's nice to have as low of an interest rate as possible for when something happens

 

[manly]

Those ThankYou rewards are useless. Worst in the industry tm.

You can get gift cards with them. With my Citi Card, it's equivalent to 1% cashback although I just let the points stack up. Not my favorite card but it does get a fair amount of use. They used to have Amazon gift cards, so that's as good as cash in my book.

Shit happens that you can't always plan and pay in cash, so it's nice to have as low of an interest rate as possible for when something happens

I thought everyone on ATOT was a 22-year old millionaire with an AMEX Black card?

 

[Crono]

It always sounds so sincere when large corporations say "thanks" or "thank you" - they should all use it in their marketing everywhere!

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Those ThankYou rewards are useless. Worst in the industry tm.

They're getting better. I have a pool of 200k TYP that I'm planning to use on Flying Blue and Singapore.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wow that's ridiculous. And to think that some people actually do not think the IP law system is screwed up.

On similar note, "Happy Birthday" is actually copyrighted. You could potentially be sued for signing happy Birthday in public. Not sure if this has actually happened though, but would not surprise me.

The only thing IP laws are for now is for lawyers and corporations to milk for lot of money and to victimize potential competition. Whether it's using copyright, trademarks, or patents, they can all be used as weapons depending on the situation and don't really have any other merit in the current way the system works.

 

[Brainonska511]

On similar note, "Happy Birthday" is actually copyrighted.

No it isn't.

 

[TheGardener]

No it isn't.

You are correct.

 

[Red Squirrel]

No it isn't.

TIL. Did not know that, I had heard it was, and that it was the reason restaurants usually have their own version of it.