The National Football League does not own “Who Dat” or the fleur de lis. According to NFL spokesman Dan Masonson, "Any unauthorized use of the Saints colors and other [marks] designed to create the illusion of an affiliation with the Saints is equally a violation of the Saints trademark rights because it allows a third party to 'free ride' by profiting from confusion of the team's fans, who want to show support for the Saints."
The NFL has issued cease and desist orders to various merchants, including infractions as small as a fleur de lis in the middle of the "o" in #whodat (fleurtygirl.net dba Lauren Thom). In reference to the term "Who Dat and the use of the fleur de lis," Masonson 's comment could not be further from the truth.
In fact, the actual trademarks for “WhoDat?” are owned by Sal & Steve Monistere of New Orleans. Monistere recorded the Who Dat Chant in 1983. The Monistere brothers then embarked on one of the most ingenious marketing campaigns in sports history. And the Who Dat Nation was born.
Experts from the intellectual property industry and numerous attorneys agree that Who Dat transcends the Saints, it transcends football; The Fleur de lis is New Orleans. The NFL is not just protecting their marks. They aren't even the owners of these marks or words. They are simply making an example of small business owners to camoflauge their greed.
The true owners – the Monistere brothers - are in the process of of issuing Lauren Thom (dba fleurtygirl.net) a license so she can continue to print Who Dat apparel.
We, the undersigned petition the NFL to drop all cease and desist orders targeting small business owners, New Orleans Saints fans, and all members of the Who Dat Nation immediately. In addition, we demand that the NFL relinquish their contention that they are the owners of the term "Who Dat" and the fleur de lis symbol.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
January 29, 2010
January 29, 2010
Watching the NFL try to muscle local shop owners out of their own culture is infuriating. I have been reading your comments about what this city means to you and it confirms that we are fighting for the soul of New Orleans.
January 29, 2010
Seeing this grow makes me realize how many of you feel the same indignation about the NFL bullying our local shop owners. Our culture and our history belong to New Orleans. This momentum proves that we refuse to let corporate greed rewrite what Who Dat means to us.
Reached 100 supporters
January 29, 2010
6 Comments
Geaux Saints but this is too much. Picking on small businesses over a chant that has been here forever is just low.
Ridiculous!! How can they claim the fleur de lis. It is our city symbol. Leave our local shops alone.
The NFL is just acting like a bully. Who Dat belongs to the people of NOLA not a bunch of suits in New York.
The Monisteres started this way back in the day. The league really needs to get a grip.
GREEDY. They dont own the history of this city. Glad to see someone actually standing up to them.
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The National Football League does not own “Who Dat” or the fleur de lis. According to NFL spokesman Dan Masonson, "Any unauthorized use of the Saints colors and other [marks] designed to create the illusion of an affiliation with the Saints is equally a violation of the Saints trademark rights because it allows a third party to 'free ride' by profiting from confusion of the team's fans, who want to show support for the Saints."
The NFL has issued cease and desist orders to various merchants, including infractions as small as a fleur de lis in the middle of the "o" in #whodat (fleurtygirl.net dba Lauren Thom). In reference to the term "Who Dat and the use of the fleur de lis," Masonson 's comment could not be further from the truth.
In fact, the actual trademarks for “WhoDat?” are owned by Sal & Steve Monistere of New Orleans. Monistere recorded the Who Dat Chant in 1983. The Monistere brothers then embarked on one of the most ingenious marketing campaigns in sports history. And the Who Dat Nation was born.
Experts from the intellectual property industry and numerous attorneys agree that Who Dat transcends the Saints, it transcends football; The Fleur de lis is New Orleans. The NFL is not just protecting their marks. They aren't even the owners of these marks or words. They are simply making an example of small business owners to camoflauge their greed.
The true owners – the Monistere brothers - are in the process of of issuing Lauren Thom (dba fleurtygirl.net) a license so she can continue to print Who Dat apparel.
We, the undersigned petition the NFL to drop all cease and desist orders targeting small business owners, New Orleans Saints fans, and all members of the Who Dat Nation immediately. In addition, we demand that the NFL relinquish their contention that they are the owners of the term "Who Dat" and the fleur de lis symbol.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
January 29, 2010
January 29, 2010
Watching the NFL try to muscle local shop owners out of their own culture is infuriating. I have been reading your comments about what this city means to you and it confirms that we are fighting for the soul of New Orleans.
January 29, 2010
Seeing this grow makes me realize how many of you feel the same indignation about the NFL bullying our local shop owners. Our culture and our history belong to New Orleans. This momentum proves that we refuse to let corporate greed rewrite what Who Dat means to us.
Reached 100 supporters
January 29, 2010
6 Comments
Leave Fleurty Girl alone! NFL needs to stop acting like they own everything down here.
Geaux Saints but this is too much. Picking on small businesses over a chant that has been here forever is just low.
Ridiculous!! How can they claim the fleur de lis. It is our city symbol. Leave our local shops alone.
The NFL is just acting like a bully. Who Dat belongs to the people of NOLA not a bunch of suits in New York.
The Monisteres started this way back in the day. The league really needs to get a grip.
GREEDY. They dont own the history of this city. Glad to see someone actually standing up to them.
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Leave Fleurty Girl alone! NFL needs to stop acting like they own everything down here.