Talk about being trampled under foot…
In a courtroom shocker, Joe-College.com has been ordered today by a federal judge to reimburse
Joe-College Blistered for $667,507 by KU; Facing Bankruptcy
Talk about being trampled under foot…
In a courtroom shocker, Joe-College.com has been ordered today by a federal judge to reimburse
Sad
An small, independent store gets squished by the big, bad athletic department. And while Lew was focusing on nailing the little guy to the wall, his student athletes leave a large, long-lasting black eye to the reputation of the university.
I’m a little sad at being an alum right now. Disgraceful actions by the university against a shop owner.
hmm
The law’s the law. Sorry Joe College.
Rainbow Man
We all know that this is not over. I predict that this case will end up being in law school coursework in 20 years. This case is not even close to being over.
jojo
KU makes millions on licensed products. This case may seem insignificant but I’m sure every
university and pro teams licensing company was
watching this. I’m sure every copyright and
trademark attorney was watching this because the
ramfications were huge.
Had the store beat KU you would have seen the
markets flooded with unlicensed products. Theres
already a huge underground market of unlicensed
products from fake t shirts to fake purses
available.
The store’s owner just got caught in the buzzsaw
of corporate america. I’m pretty sure the top
companys who license amatuer college and professional products lined up to follow this case.
Just another example of david versus goliath
and goliath had the money to smash david.
This happens all the time.
smartman
The law is the law but it seems to have been applied incorrectly in this case. So not only is justice blind it’s also stupid. Can’t wait for karma to boomerang back on KU Lew.
rick
This case won’t last because the store owner will not be able to afford a legal case that takes forever.
The real issue is what did a lawyer or lawyers do for $667,000? Outrageous!!!!
Ross
Sinks was well aware of the copy right infringement issues with some of the shirts he sold. He had every opportunity to comply with what he knew to be the law and he chose not to. Not very smart. Got what he deserved. There are plenty of small businesses out there that play by the rules – either licensing their gear or staying well away from any infringement on KUs brand. Guy got what he deserved.
Just because a small business loses to a large corporation does NOT always mean the little guy got screwed.
Rick in PV
Dear jojo,
Yeah, but who wants to root for Goliath? Makes me nauseous …
Mick
You’re dead on Ross. He knew what he was doing but continued to keep on doing it because all of those annoying kids kept buying those stupid shirts that they think are so cute & clever.
JUCK FOE-COLLEGE —- Guess it isn’t so funny now. Of course, I guess that’s what you get with a KU education.
Kasey07
Mick – Typical MU fan to post a comment about a “KU education.” Check your sources b/c I am pretty sure Larry Sinks didn’t go to KU.
What about those “cute & clever” KU sucks and swallows shirts that I see MU fans wearing? Do you really think that they are any better?
Tim
Got what he deserved. Maybe he’ll rethink that juvenile Muck Fizzou shirt now and create a a Kuck Fansas or Puck Ferkins shirt.
ChiliOG
So JoeCollege said to KU, “Hey, you put a lot of effort and money into building your brand. It’s successful, the athletic department is successful, you did great. We, on the other hand, can only make and sell t-shirts – like a high school drama club, but on a bigger scale. We’d like to make more money, though, so we’re going to suck on your brand’s teat for a while. Ok? It’s not Ok? Well, screw you, we’re going to do it anyway.” Golly, I feel so sorry for them.
jojo
did the guy get a cease and desist order.
If he did he should have listened to his attorney
and dropped selling the shirts. Unless his attorney advised him he could continue to
sell the product.
billions of dollars at stake here and the
companys who own those licensing rights had every
legal right to restrict whats being sold.
So if the guy did get a warning and he continued
to sell the crap then its his own fault for the
bankruptcy.
However…bankruptcy does not mean he closes the
store. For the big boys its part of doing business. For joe college its a way to write
off all his bad debts…not pya his suppliers,,,
get a clean slate and not have to pay the
$667,000. Of course I’m wondering who joe
college will fuck when he declares his bk.
Will his suppliers who really need the money
lose out? Will his business associates who were
owed money lose their right to collect? IN
BK THERES ALWAYS LITTLE GUYS WHO LOSE OUT
BECAUSE THEY WILL NEVER GET THE MONEY THE
DEBTOR OWES THEM.
It looks like joe college will definitely be
screwing someone out of their money. So
joecollege may not be the innocent victim hearne
makes the guy out to be.
hearne
Get a clue, dudes. These kind of things are far from black and white.It’s not like Sinks went out and stole from the Federal Reserve Bank. An obviously confused jury issued an extremely confused verdict – and now a guy with far fewer legal resources is taking an almost life-ending hit. Put down your KU-MU swords and get a clue. And much thanks to the KU Athletics Dept anonymous posters for their bogus solidarity. In the words of Tony’s Kansas City, “Bitch, please!”
smartman
Rainbow man is right. This case is not over. KU got protection of the crimson and blue colors and the “word” Kansas? So why didn’t KU go after Anheuser Busch for the “school colors” beer cans? If a mexican restaurant serves red and blue tortilla chips is that an infringement? What about the businesses in Kansas that use Jayhawk in their name? Too much remains unsettled with this case.
Ross
Hearne – I’m one of about 7 people that read your site regularly. Not a member of the KU Athletic Dept. Sorry.
In all seriousness, if Greg Hall had his own site – you would serve very little purpose on the internet or in KC. Stick to insulting current and former KC Star employees and leave me out of it.
Nice legal analysis, by the way. Glad you failed to mention the previous court rulings against Sink and his shirts.