MKC - Parody Sticker Sparks Legal Battle Between Small Maryland Cannabis Company And Spice Giant | Benzinga
Crabcakes & Cannabis, an Annapolis-based business known for its Maryland-themed cannabis merchandise, has found itself entangled in a legal battle with seasoning giant McCormick & Co Inc (NYSE: MKC), the creators of the iconic Old Bay seasoning.
At the center of this dispute is a popular parody sticker that playfully mimics the Old Bay spice container while injecting it with marijuana references.
Parody Sticker Sparks Controversy: What Happened
The showdown commenced when McCormick & Co, holders of the Old Bay trademark, dispatched a cease-and-desist letter to Crabcakes & Cannabis.
In its letter, McCormick alleged trademark infringement and voiced concerns that the parody sticker could potentially sully the cherished Old Bay brand by associating it with marijuana.
Founder of Crabcakes & Cannabis, Jennifer Culpepper, explained their standpoint. "While we firmly believe in the protection of parody and First Amendment rights, the prohibitive cost of litigation led us to make the difficult decision to discontinue our parody sticker. We stand by the fact that no reasonable consumer would confuse our ...