Who Dat?, Inc. Announces Settlement of Trademark Litigation

New Orleans, Louisiana– Who Dat?, Inc. (WDI) (www.whodat.com) has settled a trademark infringement lawsuit asserting infringement of its WHO DAT trademarks.  The settlement, approved by the Court on Monday, October 29, 2012, ends a nearly three (3) year court battle in which the company alleged that several third parties sold and distributed unauthorized merchandise bearing the company’s WHO DAT marks.  In response, a number of defendants challenged the validity of the company’s marks and sought cancellation of the company’s trademark registrations and applications.  While the terms of the most recent settlement are confidential, none of WDI’s WHO DAT trademarks, trademark registrations or trademark applications were cancelled or otherwise deemed invalid.

“We are pleased to reach this agreement, which eliminates the expense and uncertainty associated with litigation and enables WDI to focus on bringing our WHO DAT branded merchandise to our fans, consumers and licensees,” said Steve Monistere, President of Who Dat?, Inc.  “WDI has overcome yet another challenge to its exclusive rights in its WHO DAT trademarks and gained control over very harmful infringing use of its marks.”

The suit commenced in early 2010 when WDI sued several defendants including the National Football League, the State of Louisiana, Fleurty Girl, LLC, Storyville Apparel, LLC, Logo Express and a company doing business as Monogram Express.   The claims between WDI and the NFL were resolved in early 2012 and now the parties are offering co-branded merchandise through NFL manufacturers, NIKE, Vanity Fair, New Era, WinCraft and many others.

Shortly thereafter, WDI settled its claims against Logo Express and Fleurty Girl.  Although the terms of the settlement agreements are confidential, both Logo Express and Fleurty Girl may now offer authorized WHO DAT merchandise pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

The settlement approved on Monday resolved WDI’s claims against the last remaining defendants, Storyville Apparel and Monogram Express. The terms of the settlement agreements are confidential.  Further, none of WDI’s WHO DAT trademarks were ruled invalid.

Earlier last week, WDI settled claims against another defendant, Darlene Jacobs, a local businessperson, seeking rights to open a café in Violet,La., using the Who Dat name.  WDI agreed to allow Ms. Jacobs to use the name WHO DAT YAT CHAT in connection with her cafe and in connection with products offered at the cafe. Further, none of WDI’s WHO DAT trademarks were ruled invalid

About Who Dat?, Inc.

Who Dat?, Inc. was founded in 1983 to produce, market and sell merchandise under the world-famous WHO DAT trademarks.  WDI owns numerous federal and state trademark registrations acknowledging its exclusive rights to the WHO DAT trademarks in connection with the goods and services offered by the company.  The company vigorously defends and enforces its intellectual property.

Contacts: Steve Monistere, 504.814.0862, steve@whodat.com