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'Who Dat' Claim Was Misunderstanding, NFL Says
State Says It Won't Sue NFL Over Phrase
POSTED: 5:06 pm CST February 1, 2010
UPDATED: 10:22 am CST February 2, 2010
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NEW ORLEANS -- Lawmakers and public officials continue to jump into the fray over the NFL's ownership claim over the phrase "Who Dat" and the league's attempt to block the sale of merchandise that bears the famous Saints phrase.
But as more folks weigh in, the more they say it looks like a big misunderstanding.
Gov. Bobby Jindal got involved in the dispute over the weekend, asking the state attorney general to investigate and possibly sue the NFL over its stance. But on Monday, the attorney general's office said it would not file a lawsuit.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon was one of several lawmakers asking the NFL to clarify its stance after a number of local shops got cease and desist letters from the league.
"'Who Dat' is the people -- the Who Dat Nation. I don't see where this is anything that's franchisable, copywritable," Melancon said.
Lauren Thom's Fleurty Girl shop on Oak Street was one of the businesses to get a letter from the NFL.
"I just want to do it right," Thom said. "Is it public domain, do we own it? There's so many questions here."
Initially, the NFL said shop owners would have to pay for the right to sell Who Dat stuff. But now it seems the NFL has backed off the position, saying they don't own the right to "Who Dat" when it's by itself. The issue is when the phrase is paired with an NFL or Saints logo.
"They were embarassed," Melancon said. "They felt the letter was not clearly stated. And they felt the letter made a mess of something that had to do with not selling NFL-authorized products. And then the 'Who Dat' became the whipping boy."
Melancon said the NFL was sincere and apologetic about what he called a "misunderstanding."
"No one has been sued. There's no intention of suing," he said.
U.S. David Vitter also chimed in again Monday, sending out a statement.
"The Senator is pleased that the NFL is already coming off its original position. However, he is continuing to demand that the NFL drop any claim on the phrase Who Dat under any circumstances and will be sending a more detailed letter to the NFL Monday," said Joel DiGrado, Vitter spokesman.
He also sent out a T-shirt featuring the "Who Dat" phrase, with this fine print: "Trademark 2010 David Vitter - Just kidding." Vitter is selling his "Who Dat Say You Can't Print Who Dat?" T-shirts on his Web site, with proceeds going to the Brees Dream Foundation.
State Says It Won't Sue NFL Over Phrase
POSTED: 5:06 pm CST February 1, 2010
UPDATED: 10:22 am CST February 2, 2010
Email Print
Comments (23)
NEW ORLEANS -- Lawmakers and public officials continue to jump into the fray over the NFL's ownership claim over the phrase "Who Dat" and the league's attempt to block the sale of merchandise that bears the famous Saints phrase.
But as more folks weigh in, the more they say it looks like a big misunderstanding.
Gov. Bobby Jindal got involved in the dispute over the weekend, asking the state attorney general to investigate and possibly sue the NFL over its stance. But on Monday, the attorney general's office said it would not file a lawsuit.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon was one of several lawmakers asking the NFL to clarify its stance after a number of local shops got cease and desist letters from the league.
"'Who Dat' is the people -- the Who Dat Nation. I don't see where this is anything that's franchisable, copywritable," Melancon said.
Lauren Thom's Fleurty Girl shop on Oak Street was one of the businesses to get a letter from the NFL.
"I just want to do it right," Thom said. "Is it public domain, do we own it? There's so many questions here."
Initially, the NFL said shop owners would have to pay for the right to sell Who Dat stuff. But now it seems the NFL has backed off the position, saying they don't own the right to "Who Dat" when it's by itself. The issue is when the phrase is paired with an NFL or Saints logo.
"They were embarassed," Melancon said. "They felt the letter was not clearly stated. And they felt the letter made a mess of something that had to do with not selling NFL-authorized products. And then the 'Who Dat' became the whipping boy."
Melancon said the NFL was sincere and apologetic about what he called a "misunderstanding."
"No one has been sued. There's no intention of suing," he said.
U.S. David Vitter also chimed in again Monday, sending out a statement.
"The Senator is pleased that the NFL is already coming off its original position. However, he is continuing to demand that the NFL drop any claim on the phrase Who Dat under any circumstances and will be sending a more detailed letter to the NFL Monday," said Joel DiGrado, Vitter spokesman.
He also sent out a T-shirt featuring the "Who Dat" phrase, with this fine print: "Trademark 2010 David Vitter - Just kidding." Vitter is selling his "Who Dat Say You Can't Print Who Dat?" T-shirts on his Web site, with proceeds going to the Brees Dream Foundation.
