Posted on 12/04/2004 1:23:49 AM PST by Liz
A federal jury has stripped Hooters waitresses of any legal protection their skimpy uniforms may have afforded, allowing a rival Florida wings chain to continue to dress its waitresses in equally skimpy outfits.
The Orlando, Fla., jury also ordered Hooters to pay the rival, a 16-restaurant chain called Ker's Winghouse owned by former Dallas Cowboys standout lineman Crawford Ker, $1.2 million in damages because Hooters filed suit six years after promising to take all disagreements between the two companies to arbitration.
Hooters tried to bar Winghouse waitresses from wearing their skimpy black shorts and T-shirts by claiming the orange-and-white-clad female staff was the company's Ronald McDonald icon.
.....during the three-week trial, defense lawyer Don Conwell got a Hooters marketing executive to admit on the stand that the busty wait staff were more of a marketing concept used to lure 25- to 49-year old-men into the eateries.......
Businesses can't legally protect marketing plans.
In the battle of the so- called "breastrants," Hooters also attempted to convince the jury that its success was tied to its wood- weave plates and that Winghouse was copying the plates, thus confusing patrons as to which restaurant they were in.
A 20-year Hooters waitress-turned-executive, however, pointed out from the stand that the two companies' interiors were very distinct, with each Winghouse featuring an island bar and pool tables, which Hooters do not.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I think everyone wore themselves out on the 'bare breasts in church' story, Liz.
If you didn't want the pics why the post?
(I'd oblige with pics, but I'm Technologically Declined and both of my sons are asleep!)
Yeah, good timing on my part.
This is a legitimate business story with important issues dealing with marketing and trademarks.
I know... I know: Too Much Totally Useless Information stashed away, up here. [::taps forehead::] :)
You have, I think, just qualified yourself as an official KOOK (Keeper Of Odd Knowledge). Welcome to the club!
That's the spirit. Really cute (sniff).
Hooters: A Case Study
Fortune-9-2003.pdf
http://www.hooters.com/Hooters-Fortune-9-2003.pdf
Fer God's sakes, try and learnn the rules here, newbie, huh? Jest b/c a header has the word "bust" in it is no reason to get your testosterone out of order. Cheez.
They start 'em young...on chicken wings, that is.
Crawford Ker was such an outstanding lineman that this sentence is the first time I have heard or seen his name in my life. I would have remembered it.
My understanding is that, ultimately, Hooters either sued the publisher into Ceasing and Desisting, or else (at the very least) credibly threatened them into doing so. No great loss, either way. :)
Man, how long have you stored that in your image file, just waiting for such a day as this?
It's this mid-life crisis I've been going through for the last 15 or 16 years. Guess I'll just have to call up Kandi, Bambi, Misty or Randee and see if any of them want to go for a ride in my new 'Vette.
Phew, what a relief. I thought it was only me that thought, Crawford who?
As long as you've been around here, Liz: you surely must have noticed my mania for comic books , long before this.
I never, EVER need any real "reason" to geek out over this subject. :)
"Hi."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.