Friday, April 13, 2012

Just in case you haven't heard...

I'd like to think that all of us here are like-minded. In most respects, that is....And when it comes to corporate bullying and doing what is right, we all recognize a travesty when we see one.

The (VERY) short version of this story is this:
Local (as in Vermont) farmers asked a friend to make them T-shirts with this logo. He complied, and their message of eating well and local caught on. More people ordered T-shirts. It became a nice little trend. The trend grew (as good things do) and now it's a local, grass-roots, healthy trend.

In steps the corporate bully (cue sinister music) Chik-fil-A. They have an ad campaign to push their vile processed food that goes something like this: Eat More Chikn. It is supposedly more compelling when spoken by cows...I don't get it, but there it is.

Somehow, these guys now feel they have the exclusive right to the phrase, "Eat More ...." The legal beagles that Chik-fil-A hired insist that the average American would be terribly confused if the two phrases ever juxtaposed, and they imagine thousands, if not millions of junk food dollars evaporating when starving folks turn to the garden in stead of the drive-thru.

So they filed a lawsuit to stop the one-at-a time production of the Eat More Kale shirts. They are attempting to crush the entrepreneurship and industry of one small Vermont artist. They claim local (and national) foodies and farmers have no right to their free expression and professed love of dark, leafy greens.

The case went to court once. The judge saw the insanity of the situation and ruled against the corporate goons. But it was a temporary victory. The corporation is deciding to throw more dollars into legal harassment and is continuing to pursue the rights of the corporation over the individual.

If you want to help fight back, go here and order your self a shirt. Or a sticker. Or just check out the site.

And finally, plant some kale.

8 comments:

Melodie said...

This is terrible! I am done with Chik-fil-A! I have a huge batch of kale planted!

LindaG said...

So typical of this insane country. :o/
Thanks for the heads up. I wish the little man all the best!
If only David can slay Goliath again...

melanie said...

We are all pulling for "David" on this one...I am SO tired of corporate greed and bullying....what ever happened to the small business mentality that sparked this country?

Spinners End Farm said...

I signed their petition...what a completely ridiculous and frivolous lawsuit. As if intelligent beings cannot tell the difference between Kale and "Chikin" (whatever that might really be!)

LindaCO said...

"Chikin". Gross. Thanks for the heads up for this.

Michelle said...

I signed the petition, too. The only ones winning in this deal are the lawyers making their millions no matter what. :-( BOO!

Unknown said...

Yuck to processed fake foods, yay to kale! Love it and will be planting some myself. I just found your blog and love it. I heard of this crazy lawsuit recently, happy for the follow up. Off to order a shirt and sign the petition. Have a great weekend looking forward to visiting again.

Susan said...

Hear, hear! I say through a mouthful of kale salad (fourth day running...love it.) I signed the petition and I'm ordering a shirt.