Subway vs. Quizno: The end of user-generated marketing campaigns?
The blogosphere is ablaze from a New York Times article last week about Subway's lawsuit against Quiznos.
To fill you in, in August 2006, Denver-based Quiznos launched a user-generated marketing contest, prompting the public to create homemade commercials attacking its top rival, Milford, Conn.-based Subway Restaurants.
Over 100 customers submitted their spots to a special site, MeatNoMeat.com. The winning ad’s creators won a $10,000 prize, and their ad was shown on VH1. Subway wasn’t too thrilled. It sued Quiznos and iFilm, the now-defunct Viacom-owned video-sharing site that co-sponsored the contest, in October 2006. The lawsuit essentially says Quiznos infringed upon Subway's trademark: its sandwich.
The case is scheduled to go to trial in 2009 in a U.S. District Court in Connecticut, but if the court rules in favor of Subway, it could be the end of user-generated marketing ploys like this.
What do you think? Are you guys worried about this?
Over 100 customers submitted their spots to a special site, MeatNoMeat.com. The winning ad’s creators won a $10,000 prize, and their ad was shown on VH1. Subway wasn’t too thrilled. It sued Quiznos and iFilm, the now-defunct Viacom-owned video-sharing site that co-sponsored the contest, in October 2006. The lawsuit essentially says Quiznos infringed upon Subway's trademark: its sandwich.
The case is scheduled to go to trial in 2009 in a U.S. District Court in Connecticut, but if the court rules in favor of Subway, it could be the end of user-generated marketing ploys like this.
What do you think? Are you guys worried about this?
Comments
Seriously?
How can you sue over a sandwich? Better yet how can you claim "the sandwich" as your trademark? Besides, Subway's sandwiches are horrible compared to Quiznos.
This doesn't worry me. I think there will still be user-generated marketing strategies like this. Just check with lawyers and make sure you are on the level.
Posted by: Sinister Trout | February 5, 2008 9:45 AM
Sinister -
I'm sure some would disagree. There's an idea: Marketing News Sandwich Wars.
I like it!
Posted by: Daniel | February 12, 2008 7:25 AM