Hall & Oates are suing the Brooklyn-based “artisanal granola” company Early Bird over its Haulin’ Oats granola line, per The Guardian.
The pair have brought the case in federal court, The Guardian reports, where they claim the food company have infringed on their trademark.
In a statement to Billboard, a manager for Daryl Hall and John Oates writes:
“We believe that the mark ‘Haulin’ Oats’ was selected by Early Bird Foods in an effort to trade off of the fame and notoriety associated with Hall & Oates’ well-known name and marks. Further, Hall & Oates’ company, Whole Oats Enterprises, owns a Federal Trademark Registration for the identical mark HAULIN OATS covering breakfast foods that is used in connection with the sale of HAULIN OATS branded oatmeal by Whole Oats Enterprises’ licensee. Early Bird Foods’ use of the mark on their own products is likely to confuse consumers and lead them to believe that such products are affiliated with or approved by Hall & Oates, which is not the case. Prior attempts to discuss this matter with Early Bird Foods were unsuccessful and Whole Oats was left with no other choice but to file suit in order to protect its valuable marks and goodwill.”
