Johnson & Johnson, the world’s largest healthcare company is suing the American Red Cross.
Suing the American Red Cross.
Apparently the Red Cross is using the red cross on health & safety kits and J&J claims they have exclusive rights to the red cross. It’s theirs. They were using it first. From its statement.
Johnson & Johnson began using the Red Cross design and “Red Cross” word trademarks in 1887, predating the formation of the American Red Cross.
J&J brings in $15 billion a year and is demanding that the Red Cross hand over all products for destruction and pay all J&J’s legal expenses, hand over proceeds and pay punitive damages.
Liz Gunnison of Daily Brief from Portfolio.com asks this question:
So, J&J, exactly how strapped for cash do you need to be to resort to haggling with Hurricane Katrina victims and tsunami survivors over spare change?
Really. Wow. Nice move, J&J.
UPDATE:
Some point/counterpoint from around the blogosphere
Seth Godin: What to do when you’re wrong…
Dillon Communications: Sorry, Seth…
Mary Schmidt: Branding Stupidity…
Darby Darnit: Goliath Sues David
