Monster Madness: Monster Energy Drink's Hired Trademark Trolls Go After Movie Monster

from the this-is-getting-insane dept

We've recently covered how beverage company Hansen's hired a company called Continental Enterprises, who has a long history of abusing trademark law for profit (i.e., getting big companies to allow it to send threat letters to anyone who in any way uses a mark, even if it's clearly not a violation of trademark), and because of that, a small Vermont brewery and a beverage review website found themselves on the receiving end of legal threats.

Apparently, the monster madness doesn't stop there. Andrew points us to the news that that Continental Enterprises, on behalf of Hansen's and Monster Energy Drink has also threatened a working actor who was in a monster movie a few years ago, and had a photo taken of himself in costume holding a Monster Energy Drink. This amusing joke photo is apparently too much for the fine folks at Continental Enterprises, who insist it's "advertising and/or selling products that are confusingly similar to Monster Energy Drink" and demand that he cease and desist.

At what point does Hansens and Monster Energy Drink realize that in this deal to outsource trademark bullying to Continental Enterprises, they've done significantly more harm to their own brands?
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Filed Under: actors, monster, monster energy drink, trademark
Companies: continental enterprises, hansens, monster energy drink


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  • icon
    tasmot (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 2:11pm

    Let's take the next step

    Hey,
    How can we get Monster Cable and Monster Energy Drink introduced to each other. They can spend so much time fighting each other that they leave everybody else alone.

    Tas

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 20 Oct 2009 @ 2:33pm

      Re: Let's take the next step

      After reading this ... makes me wonder if the two of them would cancel each other out and the world would simply be rid of both. Win Win!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Kazi, 20 Oct 2009 @ 2:30pm

    Maybe their advertising budget has been cut recently?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    ChrisB (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 2:44pm

    "At what point does Hansens and Monster Energy Drink realize that in this deal to outsource trademark bullying to Continental Enterprises, they've done significantly more harm to their own brands?"

    Well it is getting Monster Energy Drink in the news...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      DS, 21 Oct 2009 @ 4:04am

      Re:

      And they look so good too...

      The only person who things that there's no such thing as bad publicity never had bad publicity.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    hamill8152 (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 2:45pm

    Free Advertising

    So a guy in a monster costume holds up a Monster Energy drink for a picture and the good old outside law frim sends a statement that says "advertising and/or selling products that are confusingly similar to Monster Energy Drink".

    I'm confused now because that's not a smimilar product that IS the product.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Dark Helmet (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 2:46pm

    Sigh

    I'd really enjoy seeing these lawyerly rejects try to serve a C&D to a Gila Monster only to have their collective faces ripped off.

    "Stop that salacious slithering you Gila thing!"

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 20 Oct 2009 @ 2:58pm

    Who cares what they do... they're still one of the better energy drinks out there... so I'll keep buying.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      minijedimaster (profile), 21 Oct 2009 @ 7:03am

      Re:

      they're still one of the better energy drinks out there

      Are you kidding me? I'd rather lick the ass out of a menstruating skunk that drink that stuff. Worst tasting drink EvAr.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Brian (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 3:03pm

    Maybe Mike should take a picture holding up a Monster energy drink then when they send a C&D he can explain to them how the whole trademark system works

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    shmengie (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 3:07pm

    i hope they don't sue me...

    i'm always telling the ladies i've got a monster in my trousers.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Toe Jam, 20 Oct 2009 @ 3:18pm

    Bad advertisement is good arvertisment?

    "Well it is getting Monster Energy Drink in the news..."

    Yes, but in a very negative way. I admit that both the wife and I will occasionally drink this class of beverage when coffee isn't readily available and a pick-me-up is needed, especially on long road trips. We will be avoiding this brand in the future, just one more in a long line of "product" we're already boycotting. There are always alternative choices.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      ChrisB (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 3:35pm

      Re: Bad advertisement is good arvertisment?

      Musicians, Artists, Actors, all claim that there is no such thing as bad press as it is a bigger problem for nobody to know who they are than for people to hate them.

      I am positing that Brand Recognition can be viewed in a similar light.

      It is better to be recognized (good or bad) than have nobody know who you are.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Always AC, 20 Oct 2009 @ 3:35pm

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE

    Monster Energy Drink and Monster Cable should sue the asses off each other so that the lawyers end up with all their money. That would be awesome! Monsterly Awesome! Jackasses

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    interval, 20 Oct 2009 @ 3:47pm

    So why hasn't Monster Energy Drink sued Monster.com? I could easily see myself while looking for a job suddenly realize that I meant to drink something and have all kinds of irreparable harm follow.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 20 Oct 2009 @ 4:18pm

    What the heck is it with companies named Monster. The name should be stricken from ever being allowed again.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    TW Burger (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 5:43pm

    Great Method of Losing Customers

    I am going to be careful to never buy Monster Energy Drink or any other Hansen's product.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Ben (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 6:39pm

    "Who cares what they do... they're still one of the better energy drinks out there... so I'll keep buying."

    Is that because you share the same PLANT ingredients?

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    "Monster" HomeBrewer, 20 Oct 2009 @ 8:13pm

    Monster Energy vs ????

    So let me see, is Monster going to sue Disney or Pixar for using the names "Monsters, Inc" or "Monsters VS Aliens"? I would never have known that those movies had nothing to do with the energy drink. . . oh wait a minute I guess I would as I'm not a frickin idiot. Who the hell is going to get a Black can with three green claw marks confused with a 22oz glass beer bottle with a label that is completely different? I mean really folks, come on and get serious. F*@#ing Lawyers!!!!!!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Daemon_ZOGG (profile), 20 Oct 2009 @ 9:52pm

    Boycott Hansens products...

    Since the first news of this broke out, my family and friends have stopped using all of Hansens products. Including Monster. They are all outraged by the actions of Hansens.
    Hansens is just another corporate jerk-off. They can be added to the list of shame, right next to companies like disney, the riaa (alias: mu$ic MAFIA), and micro$oft (alias: micro$haft). They should feel right at home there. The friggen TROLL bastards!

    ..Nuf Said!

    :p

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 21 Oct 2009 @ 1:31am

    Anyone who wishes to inform Hansen of their madness may contact them at:

    Hansen Beverage Company
    550 Monica Circle Suite 201
    Corona, CA 92880


    You could also email them but snail mail tends to get a bigger response than email.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    jack, 28 Oct 2009 @ 2:59pm

    hi

    monster energy is the best source of vitamin and i will alway drink it ha ha.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Aspen, 6 Nov 2009 @ 7:35am

    ii Likee Monsters(:

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Caffeine spray, 26 May 2015 @ 11:48pm

    Wonder of science

    Great Article and useful tip this blog gives people good information.
    You really mention here some great points,Good job sir,very helpful post.
    caffeine spray

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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