![North Face vs South Butt, trademark infringement North Face vs South Butt, Ruth Carter, trademark infringement](http://carterlawaz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/north-face-south-butt-560x257.jpg)
The North Face Apparel Corp. is well-known for their outdoor apparel. When I lived in Oregon, I became quite familiar with their brand. Their tagline is “Never Stop Exploring.” In 2010, The North Face sued The South Butt, LLC for trademark infringement when the company started selling apparel with a similar name, logo, and tagline. The South Butt’s logo uses a similar font as The North Face and incorporates a set of curved lines, similar to The North Face’s log. The South Butt’s tagline was “Never Stop Relaxing.” The South Butt even tried to sell the brand to The North Face for $1 million. When I first saw a South Butt shirt, I thought it was hilarious and I knew it was a parody of The North Face, but I figured it wouldn’t last long on the market.
The two companies settled this dispute with an injunction that prohibited The South Butt from using The North Face’s trademarks or any mark that was similar to The North Face’s without permission. The trademark laws generally prohibit you from unfairly riding another brand’s coattails for your own benefit, confusing consumers about what the quality and source of the good they’re buying, or otherwise damaging another brand’s reputation with your trademark.
Fast-forward to the summer of 2012, The North Face is back in court asking a judge to hold the owners of The South Butt in contempt. According to the report, the owners of The South Butt started a new company, Why Climb Mountains, LLC, and they are selling apparel under the brand “The Butt Face” with the tagline “Never Stop Smiling.” The logo also features curved lines which are similar to The North Face’s logo.
The North Face is claiming that The South Butt owners are violating the injunction with this new line of apparel. They commissioned a survey that found that 35% of respondents associated The Butt Face logo with The North Face brand. The judge is expected to decide whether The South Butt owners violated the injunction that prohibited them from using a trademark that’s similar to The North Face.
I understand why a company would want to create a parody of an existing company’s brand, but this story makes me wonder, “Why would you do it twice to the same company if you ended up in court the first time around?” On the flip side, this story shows that there is a market for parody brands which, if a company was looking to expand its market, that would be one option to consider.
If you’re considering using a trademark that might be confused with your competitors’, please consult a trademark attorney in your community before you invest too much time and energy into creating that brand.
If you want to hear more of my thoughts on this topic, or if you think this post is too long to read, I made a video.
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Hat tip: JD Supra
18 responses to “The North Face vs The South Butt Trademark Saga”
I bought a bunch of South Butt t-shirts because I thought it was hysterical. I would buy Butt Face products, too. Part of the charm of South Butt was the fact that they sold their products for a reasonable price and not the “jacked up” prices North Face gets for their clothing. In a way their company calls out the ridiculous prices some “cool” companies get for their products.
I thought The South Butt stuff was funny when it came out too. The North Face can charge its prices because consumers will pay it. I can see The North Face being concerned that consumers will think The North Face stuff is cheaper and therefore might be a lower quality product.
Shame on the North Face. What moron would call this copyright infringement. Another case of deep pockets bullying the little guy.
Or, as Jimmy said, “If you can’t tell your face from your butt, I encourage you to buy North Face products!”
Shouldn’t it be The South Butte?
Hee hee hee.
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Maybe they should head over to this guy next: https://www.spreadshirt.com/cross+face+shirt-A105545928
It may be worth watching this listing to see if The North Face sends a cease and desist letter.
The North Face Half Dome Pants
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