Is "Moo" too close to "Mooo"?
That's what a state court is being asked to decide in a suit filed by Lubbock restaurant operator Yet Inc. against its parent chain, Georgia-based Western Sizzlin' Inc.Yet, which operates two Bob York's Western Sizzlin' restaurants, has filed suit against Western Sizzlin', charging that the chain has begun using "Moo" on a number of advertising properties while Yet has been using the "Mooo" slogan as its trademark since 1984.
Attorneys for Yet claimed in the suit that the firm created the "Mooo" slogan in 1984 and has used it on a variety of company materials, including Mooo saddles for children to sit in, Mooo horns to wear and Mooonues from which to order Mooo meals. Children who take a table manners course from Mr. Mooo (who travels in a Mooo Mobile that is parked in the "Mooo-K Corral") receive a degree from Mooo U.
The suit alleges that Western Sizzlin' dropped an "o" from the Lubbock slogan and illegally appropriated the similar "Moo" designation for its own "Moo U" (for the company's restaurant management training center), "Moo-Lah" (for a payroll program for its restaurant services) and Moo News (a company newsletter).
The suit also alleges Western Sizzlin' changed its cow character from "Mr. Skinny" to "Mr. Moo."