Somebody Help This Man!

I wrote a note to Chick-Fil-A today telling them how much they disgust me. Not their sandwiches, unfortunately I kinda like those, it’s really too bad I will never have another one. The actions of the corporation, however, merit the anger of every thinking person in the creative business world (and beyond). This is why:

“Vermont's Eat More Kale is a small, eco-friendly t-shirt business with a mission to promote sustainable food messages. The company's sole proprietor, Bo Muller-Moore, has used the EAT MORE KALE logo in his t-shirt designs for more than 10 years, and he recently applied for a federal trademark on his business name. A federal trademark would block other artists from copying his design (which has happened in the past) and protect the livelihood he's worked so hard to build.

But if Chick-fil-A, a giant multi-million dollar fast food corporation has it's way, Muller-Moore won't be allowed to protect his business. The Corporate Goliath has threatened to block EAT MORE KALE's trademark attempt and shut the business down. Chick-fil-A uses the slogan "Eat Mor Chikin,"and it alleges that EAT MORE KALE confuses CHICK-fil-A customers and dilutes its multi-million dollar industry.”

The above is quoted from a petition drive at change.org intended to help stop this case of arrogant bullying. Yes, you have to protect your trademarks, but do the lawyers at Chick-fil-A seriously believe the general public is so stupid that we just can’t tell the difference between “Eat Mor Chikin”and “Eat More Kale”? And that we will forget to buy their sandwiches because we are so confused by the Chikin – Kale conundrum? (Really, no need to answer that…)

Bo Muller-Moore seems like a really nice guy who cares about his fellow man and the world around him, and he certainly doesn’t deserve to be steamrollered by a bunch of out-of-control corporate lawyers. This is so out of whack that even the State of Vermont has joined the fight to help him out. You can check out his website here, and sign the petition here. You can also go to the Chick-fil-A website and drop them a note from there, which I did this morning. Do those things, and then buy one of Bo's shirts too because it just feels right.

Oh – and eat more kale, it’s good for you.