05 Mar Can Hall & Oates Stop “Haulin’ Oats”?

I admit I just love these things. What’s in a name? Well for many, a brand. And in the case of the huge rock duo Hall & Oates, they just can’t seem to “go for that” as a Brooklyn company is peddling hipster granola called “Haulin’ Oats.” Daryl and John have filed suit to stop the company from using the name that does seem to take advantage of the famed group’s legend. Their production company is in fact called Whole Oats, and, according to the New York Daily News, others have attempted over the years “to make a connection between the artists’ names and oats-related products.” The suit claims that the name was chosen “in an effort to trade off of the fame and notoriety associated with the artist’s and plaintiff’s well-known marks.” It will be interesting to see if the courts agree, as both federal and New York state trademark issues will be brought to bear.

Is this a little generational? The younger makers of the granola, who claim their product is “perfect by itself or as the base for a breakfast parfait creation,” will probably have a tough time claiming they had no intention of playing off the group some of us used to jokingly refer to as Hats & Coats (please don’t ask me to explain the 70s). Some articles about this are a little critical of H&O, basically suggesting they leave the cool Brooklyn hipsters alone. Could this backfire publicity-wise for them and be a boon for the Haulin’ Oats team?

Only my good friend who is a true psychic has the answer.