Altadis USA sues Tatuaje Cigars

[Ratters]

Well, still want them to fail. And if the commies don't believe in ownership of property, why should they believe in owner of trademarks.

[sikk50]

I would understand the lawsuits and everything if Altadis had the FdL trademarked a long tile ago, but they just did it this year AFTER they saw the sucess tat was having and that was the embl they used. Definatly sleezy to say the least

[Blueface]

Hey,
Anyone using a Montecristo photo for an Avatar, look out!!! You too may get sued by Altadis.

[ZenSilk]

if they made tasty cigars maybe I'd give a S**t!

[Silound]

Given my limited knowledge of laws governing this, I can't be sure but...

Pete almost certainly filed suit first because by doing so he forced Altadis to tip their hand early (he probably had some forewarning about the impending suit). Also by doing this, as was stated above, the Altadis suit will NOT proceed until a judge either combines the suits or until Pete's suit is totally settled (initial plus any appeals). Once either of those happens, then the next step proceeds.

I don't think that Altadis will come out a "winner" in this one. The Tatuaje brand doesn't come close to even comparing itself to the Montecristo line anywhere. They don't claim to be like it, near it, or even know it exists. The use of the Fleur-de-lis dates back well before the 12th century, making it unlikely that anyone can claim is as something protected by their trademark. Other than the use of the known FDL shape, they don't really have anything in common.

[icehog3]

Maybe they should sue Savoy too....

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24016

Did Altadis file papers to sue the Boy Scouts of America, yet?

[elderboy02]

I have a pair of boxers that I bought from Old Navy that have the fleur de lis symbol on it. I hope they don't sue me

Why does a symbol not become public domain similar to a piece of music? The symbol is so old that trademark infringement seems pretty lame to me. It's like an arrow being trademarked or a cross. As long as the symbol in question isn't a direct copy of the Montecristo version...what's the big deal?

[Footbag]

There are lots of variations of the FdL. I'm in the furniture business and see them on upholstery fabrics all of the time. I've also seen a number of other furniture/design firms that us it in their logo.
I cannot see this suit going very far. Seems more like desperation.

[elderboy02]

Does anyone have a complete list of cigars made by Altadis? I want to make sure I don't buy their crap.

Thanks.

[VirtualSmitty]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

Does anyone have a complete list of cigars made by Altadis? I want to make sure I don't buy their crap.

Thanks.

http://www.altadisusa.com/cigar/handmade.asp

[elderboy02]

Originally Posted by VirtualSmitty

http://www.altadisusa.com/cigar/handmade.asp

Thanks. I don't smoke any of those anyway.

[VirtualSmitty]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

Thanks. I don't smoke any of those anyway.

You have no idea what your missing if your not smoking Big Butt

[elderboy02]

Originally Posted by VirtualSmitty

You have no idea what your missing if your not smoking Big Butt

No comment

[kydsid]

^ I wonder how all that works into the recent purchase of Altadis SA. Even so given the US laws and embargoes it would be illegal for money to move back and forth from Altadis SA to Altadis USA.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by kydsid

^ I wonder how all that works into the recent purchase of Altadis SA. Even so given the US laws and embargoes it would be illegal for money to move back and forth from Altadis SA to Altadis USA.

Maybe, maybe not. Who knows these days. The Altadis Rep also told me they had been sending equipment down to Cuba for a few years now to prepare for the opening of the country when the time comes.

[macpappy]

I haven't look at anything made by Altadis in a while that had a fleur de lis on it so I have to ask this question. Is the fleur de lis in question formed from tobacco leaves? If so then that my be why the lawsuit has been filed.

[pmwz]

i think a lot of guys here are looking at it just out of pete's perspective.
We care more about cigars than the casual cigar smoker and can tell the difference between the two brands. a casual cigar smoker might remember that a Fleur De Lys was on the band and asks at his b+m for a cigar with one on his band.

Originally Posted by pmwz

i think a lot of guys here are looking at it just out of pete's perspective.
We care more about cigars than the casual cigar smoker and can tell the difference between the two brands. a casual cigar smoker might remember that a Fleur De Lys was on the band and asks at his b+m for a cigar with one on his band.

In that case according to this article "...at least 35 trademarks on record with the PTO that have this design as part of there trademark as used in connection with cigars."