Earlier this week, Instinct reported on streaming giant Netflix sending a cease-and-desist letter to the organizer’s of the upcoming ‘Straight Pride Parade’ scheduled in Boston next month.
The homophobic organizer’s used several corporations logos without permission in an effort to appear that they were “in negotiations” with the companies for sponsorship.
Nope, they weren’t.
Netflix got oh-so-sassy ending their letter, “You should know that we’re unafraid of bullies. Our legal department is here, it’s queer, and it’s telling you to steer clear.”
Suh-nap!
Well, now massive travel website TripAdvisor got wind of the homophobes using their logo, and they are not having it either.
Check out the letter TripAdvisor sent the organizers weaving in the titles of several LGBT anthem song titles like “I’m Coming Out,” “Beautiful,” “Over the Rainbow,” and more.
You’ll note the capitalized words:
Dear Mr. Hugo,
I am writing on behalf of TripAdvisor LLC concerning Super Fun Happy America’s unauthorized use of TripAdvisor’s logo, as displayed on your website [snip]. I’m Coming Out and saying this clearly: you are infringing upon TripAdvisor’s intellectual property rights. Further, your statement that you are “in negotiations” with TripAdvisor as a “potential sponsor” is completely false.
To be precise, your use of the TripAdvisor trademark and our Beautiful logo infringes TripAdvisor’s trademark and trade name rights. TripAdvisor’s trademarks are protected in many countries around the world and Over The Rainbow, including in the United States under Registration Nos. 2727627, 3171193, 4612678, and 445774. We have become a well-known brand for our reviews of hotels, restaurants, experiences and even the occasional YMCA, but we weren’t Born This Way – we obtained that recognition through significant advertising and promotion since as early as 2000. As a result of the breadth of the services it provides and its widespread renown, TripAdvisor enjoys substantial rights in its mark and name.
Contrary to your claims, TripAdvisor is not “in negotiations” with your organization for sponsorship of its “Straight Pride Parade.” Similarly, we have not authorized you to use our name or logo in any way. You Need To Calm Down – you are not sponsored by, associated or affiliated with TripAdvisor in any way, and thus, your use of our marks could confuse the public as to an affiliation with TripAdvisor. These inaccurate statements, which I trust do not show your True Colors, infringe on TripAdvisor’s rights under the Lanham Act, and impinge upon our Freedom! to decide with what organizations we want to associate our brand. Have A Little Respect and remove those statements. TripAdvisor and I Will Survive without being associated with your event.
There is nothing Vogue or acceptable about making false claims about others merely to support your own cause. If I Could Turn Back Time, I would tell you not to use our name in the first place. But now that you have, TripAdvisor demands that you remove all uses of our name, mark and logo from your website (and anywhere else you might use it) within 24 hour and not use them again. In other words, Black Me Out with an “X” on the above webpage. You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) disappointment that you thought this might be an acceptable way to do business.
TripAdvisor is willing to resolve this matter amicably, today, on the above terms. That said, if you Don’t Stop Me Now by taking the requisite actions, TripAdvisor reserves all rights to take whatever enforcement actions it deems appropriate, including – if necessary – taking legal action against Super Fun Happy America, its principals, affiliates, or those acting in concert with you. Finally, I likely am not Dancing On My Own here, as I suspect the above arguments apply to most or all of the companies listed on the above webpage.
Please know and Believe that we take this matter seriously and look forward to your prompt compliance.
The travel website also tweeted, “TripAdvisor is a proud and inclusive workplace. Our lawyers are definitely the most creative defenders of diversity!” The tweet tagged gay faves Madonna, Lady Gaga, Diana Ross, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Gaynor, and Taylor Swift.
TripAdvisor is a proud and inclusive workplace. Our lawyers are definitely the most creative defenders of diversity! #TripPride @taylorswift13 @ladygaga @Madonna @cher @xtina @DianaRoss @cyndilauper @QueenWillRock @gloriagaynor https://t.co/xOAAUNf0td
— Tripadvisor (@Tripadvisor) July 19, 2019
One of the best responses TripAdvisor way to go !
It’s never right to use someone else’s until intellectual property, however what in the world is wrong with being able to have straight pride. People are who straight can also be proud of who they are. No different than homosexual pride!
they should have asked chick fil a, fox news, to sponsor their event. for sure they won’t give them a cease and desist order