Posted on 04/10/2006 8:08:26 AM PDT by edpc
APRIL 10--Philip Morris is threatening legal action over the sale of a "Smoking Baby" doll--but not because the tobacco giant is offended by the thought of an infant lighting up, but rather because the diapered cigarette enthusiast appears to be enjoying a trademarked Marlboro. In an April 7 letter to Toy Lounge, an online retailer, Philip Morris attorneys contend that the $5.95 ceramic doll comes equipped with a pack of cigarettes bearing a "logo confusingly similar" to Marlboro's "roof design," which is further described as "a pentagonal figure with a horizontal top and two vertical sides with two upwardly and inwardly sloping diagonals." The design of the package of toy cigarettes--which are actually unscented incense--is intended to "evoke an unsavory association with Philip Morris," alleges the letter, a copy of which you can find below. The company also claims that a "Li'l Smokes" refill pack also infringes its Marlboro trademark. Along with leaning on Toy World, Philip Morris also apparently contacted the novelty doll's manufacturer and was told that the offending products would be altered to address the tobacco company's concerns. Commendably, Philip Morris has never been shown to market its products to newborns. However, the company has previously tracked Marlboro's "market penetration" with smokers as young as 15, since the teenage years are when crucial "initial brand selections" are made, according to one internal company memo. (3 pages)
We have smoking chimps, so why not? I wonder what brand he prefers.
I think I'll buy one.
Where do you find baby-sized rolling papers?
Unbelieveable is right. Philip Morris has never been shown to develop nuclear weapons, beat their wives, cut off heads or pick their noses. I guess we can commend them for that too.
Well, that was my big laugh for the day! Thanks.
filing
"--but not because the tobacco giant is offended by the thought of an infant lighting up,"
Dear Lord. Smoking Gun has taken a trademark infringement case and turned it into a "Big Tobacco" bash.
I'm sorry, but that is really ridiculous. Who is making these things? That's the stupidest toy I ever did see!
Thanks for the ping, but I sure see no humor in this. This has got to be a joke, right??!!
Likely, it's from the guys that brought you.......
Someone will buy them.
OK, I finally, after all these years, really did spray coffee all over my keyboard!!!
Commendably, the writer of this has never been shown to molest children.
As my reply was, I feel it is a joke. But, it's so damn un-PC, I can't help but think it's funny.
Dont forget about the smoking libertarian kittens the prefer maui wowie :-)
This brings back memories of the Van Halen 1984 album cover ...
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