Note: I used to work with Mean Gene's nephew Blaze Okerlund. Hot Stuff Pizza is owned by the Schwann's company (we used to get free pizza every Friday for lunch). Marvin Schwann, the originator of the Schwann's company used to be one of the 50 richest men in America. Blaze married Marvin's daughter Laurie.
http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail2817.cfm?Id=0,48306
A <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Sioux Falls</st1lace></st1:city> business is grappling in court with a professional wrestling announcer over the rights to use his nickname. Nine years ago, "Mean Gene" Okerlund signed an endorsement deal with Hot Stuff Foods, allowing them to use his name and likeness for Mean Gene's Burgers and Mean Gene's Pizza.
But this year, Okerlund split with the company and started his own, which Hot Stuff says is confusing customers.
Gene Okerlund became famous interviewing professional wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, who began interviews by saying, “You know something, Mean Gene.”
His nickname became part of his fame. So Hot Stuff Foods paid him more than $1-million dollars to be their spokesman and use his nickname to market their products.
At the time, Okerlund's nephew Jeff was president of the company and his nephew Blaze was the executive vice-president.
But now, no one in the Okerlund family is affiliated with Hot Stuff. And Gene and Blaze Okerlund are starting their own food company called Mean Gene's Enterprises.
In a lawsuit against the new company, Hot Stuff Foods claims to have the Mean Gene name trademarked. Hot Stuff says the Okerlunds are deliberately stealing the brand, confusing customers, and profiting from that confusion.
Hot Stuff's lawyers say this letter proves their point. Gene Okerlund sent it to solicit licensees still selling the burgers he used to promote. This logo is the same as the one Hot Stuff uses.
Gene Okerlund tells KELOLAND News he never gave Hot Stuff written permission to trademark his name, so the accusations are baseless.
Lawyers for Hot Stuff say this battle could be decided by how the judge interprets the Mean Gene "brand." Do customers choose to eat at Mean Gene's Pizza because they recognize the food chain has become a brand like McDonalds?
Or do they simply recognize Mean Gene's because of the wrestling announcer's name? The Okerlunds are hoping the spokesman, and his nickname, carry more weight in this case.
The two sides agreed to a temporary restraining order, which states Okerlund cannot contact Hot Stuff stores or use the Mean Gene's Pizza name or logos before the case is decided. Judge Larry Piersol will decide whether or not Okerlund can use the Mean Gene name in his new business at an injunction hearing scheduled for June 15th.
http://www.keloland.com/NewsDetail2817.cfm?Id=0,48306
A <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 /><st1:city w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Sioux Falls</st1lace></st1:city> business is grappling in court with a professional wrestling announcer over the rights to use his nickname. Nine years ago, "Mean Gene" Okerlund signed an endorsement deal with Hot Stuff Foods, allowing them to use his name and likeness for Mean Gene's Burgers and Mean Gene's Pizza.But this year, Okerlund split with the company and started his own, which Hot Stuff says is confusing customers.
Gene Okerlund became famous interviewing professional wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, who began interviews by saying, “You know something, Mean Gene.”
His nickname became part of his fame. So Hot Stuff Foods paid him more than $1-million dollars to be their spokesman and use his nickname to market their products.
At the time, Okerlund's nephew Jeff was president of the company and his nephew Blaze was the executive vice-president.
But now, no one in the Okerlund family is affiliated with Hot Stuff. And Gene and Blaze Okerlund are starting their own food company called Mean Gene's Enterprises.
In a lawsuit against the new company, Hot Stuff Foods claims to have the Mean Gene name trademarked. Hot Stuff says the Okerlunds are deliberately stealing the brand, confusing customers, and profiting from that confusion.
Hot Stuff's lawyers say this letter proves their point. Gene Okerlund sent it to solicit licensees still selling the burgers he used to promote. This logo is the same as the one Hot Stuff uses.
Gene Okerlund tells KELOLAND News he never gave Hot Stuff written permission to trademark his name, so the accusations are baseless.
Lawyers for Hot Stuff say this battle could be decided by how the judge interprets the Mean Gene "brand." Do customers choose to eat at Mean Gene's Pizza because they recognize the food chain has become a brand like McDonalds?
Or do they simply recognize Mean Gene's because of the wrestling announcer's name? The Okerlunds are hoping the spokesman, and his nickname, carry more weight in this case.
The two sides agreed to a temporary restraining order, which states Okerlund cannot contact Hot Stuff stores or use the Mean Gene's Pizza name or logos before the case is decided. Judge Larry Piersol will decide whether or not Okerlund can use the Mean Gene name in his new business at an injunction hearing scheduled for June 15th.
