Our response to The North Face lawsuit!
Everyone -
We’ve issued an official response to The North Face and their lawsuit – here is the document in its entirety. Also, for those of you wanting to follow the case closely, we’re creating a “legal” section of the site where you will be able to view and download documents, responses, and more. Keep an eye out for that soon.
The South Butt Answer to the North Face
Thanks!
-Jimmy
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As one who works at a retail co-op which sells TONS of TNF stuff in a very yuppie environment, I was quick to pick up a couple TSB tees for a co-worker and myself. We thoroughly understand your motives and the fun of the parody. As a matter of fact, we are planning a local photo-shoot of us with a huge family camping tent, surrounded by dog toys and purses, lounge chairs, visible exposed wires going to fans and maybe a TV, a huge grill meant for tailgate parties, drinks in our hands and calling it our Employee INACTION photo. What’s really sick is that TNF is owned by Vanity Fair, as are Jansport, Eagle Creek, Keen and Victoria’s Secret and is ANYthing but what they started as, but they are still thought of as a reputable outdoor name the werld over. Amazing! Big Business at its finest… We ALL need to start small enterprises and put the programming of those who would like to control “We, The People” down. Best of Luck, Bro’! We’re behind you!
I think that that school is a Bunh of crap
“I hope The North Face Sues the living sh#* out of you… I quit wearing north face gear years ago(moved on to Patagonia,Arcteryx,lowe alpine, moutain hardwear, etc), however a little 19 year old should not be profiting over a stupid product that mocks a Historic brandname..” –Neil
Lol @ this guy…I guess he has to wear outdoor performance gear all the time, just in case someone calls him to go camping or kayaking and he doesn’t have time to change…
Thats stupid! Thank god it hasn’t been banned from Ladue schools!
smells like up dawg in here. also knock knock whos there smell mop! and also i like south butt because i have a clubbed thumb. That will be all
Spectacular work! Those people at your competition (you know who) don’t even have a clue! Keep em coming! Regards!
Hey Neil, take a hike. Just because you dislike North Face Apparel and moved on to something else that is also just as expensive doesn’t mean you can dog on an intelligent teen that decided to pursue his idea. Everyone wishes that they could come up with the next best thing in the world and he found his, however immature or frivolous you may believe it to be.
Ok is it me or are these things getting more and more popular? Not that its a hoodie but look at the dang Snuggy, I would have never guessed that those would become a hot item.
I think south butt is really clever!! I love the South butt Your jackets are sweet
Oh my! Are you serious? Your brand clothing is like so cute and its not innapropriate. Wtf.
That’s just plain short-sighted and silly. They seriously lack a sense of humor! The South Butt is absolutely brilliant – I would have worn South Butt when I was in school! I’ll certainly wear South Butt now.
Oh, my God. “The South Butt” is cool. And a clever way to make money. It’s funny. I don’t get why everyone is complaining about him copying The North Face.. SO WHAT!? it’s funny as crap. And there clothes are not bad!
Everyone complaining about not getting their stuff needs to chill out … this is a tiny operation that’s suddenly got global attention. They probably keep a couple dozen items in stock, and now they’re getting hundreds (if not thousands) of orders — on top of having to show up in court and handle all the legal crap. Think about how well you’d handle it, and cut ‘em some slack for a month or two.
I’m ordering stuff today, and I don’t expect to see it until they’ve had time to manufacture more of it!
Thanks for publishing about this. There’s a heap of important tech info on the internet. You’ve got a lot of that info here on your site. I’m impressed – I try to keep a couple blogs reasonably up-to-date, but it’s a struggle sometimes. You’ve done a big job with this one. How do you do it?
Be warned: it’s not whether you’re right or wrong, it’s whether you’ve got enough money. If North Face has the money, they’re right, even if they’re wrong.
I read about your company on John Stossle’s blog and came to check you out. I must say, I LOVE your legal reply to this compamy, it was priceless. I’m so proud to see a young, determined American fighting the good fight. YOU are what true Capitalism is all about, KEEP FIGHTING!!!
I think this is very clever. Kudos to you for finding a product and making a profit (ignore people who are jealous they did not think of it first). This is clearly a parody, but, even if it is found to be competition, such is the American way of a free market economy…they should lighten up!!
Personally, I am buying South Butt tshirts for all my friends as gifts bc I think its hilarious and am still buying north face jackets because I like them. Not one person I have told about this has said anything to the effect of “oh, is that a new, independent outer wear attire company?” Um, no, laughs all around here in Texas. And nothing but pride from a lady born and raised in West County. High Five.
Spreading the joke in Texas,
Jen
I hope The North Face realizes that their suit has provided Jimmy with untold dollars worth of advertising. Gotta love it.
Great to read the American spirit lives on in your generation Jimmy. Hopefully the setting judge will be ROFL in chambers before taking the bench where, of course, he will be required to act with proper decorum. Hopefully the tongue in cheek response doesn’t piss him off but is seen as support of the legal defense itself: parody.
best of luck to ya Jimmy. I don’t think you need it as this seems to be a pretty well settled area of law that clearly puts you in the right but just the same, good luck.
We don’t have this problem in Canada. All of our clothing is made from either beaver pelt or genuine Saskatchewan seal skin.
Anyone caught trying to bring in clothing from other sources (cotton, polyester, cow hide, etc) are stopped by our Mounties. They patrol the borders on their moose, using their hockey sticks to corral offending violators of our strict clothing laws.
North face more like Mardy bum(Derbyshire speak for sulking or humourless person)Or North faceless corporation.
Keep up the good work
All the best
Steve.
Ps the above phrases are under copyrite;o)
This is a good approach to what, for some, may be a controversial topic. Very well though out post.
It’s a good thing you didn’t start a line with a Greek work for defeat (as opposed to victory–nike).
A clear case of trademark infringement.
Case in point:
Years ago a taiwanese company marketed lightbulbs in the US. Their logo looked almost exactly like the General Electric ‘meatball’ symbol.
I actually bought a pack of them thinking they were GE products because the ‘trademarked’ symbol on the package looked so much like GEs.
The next day I went back to store to get some more (they were cheap).
Lo and behold, they were all gone! GE had sued and got an injuction from the courts to remove all of the product from the shelves.
This was a clearcut case of trademark infringment and I bet when the dust settles in the courts, south butt will find themseleves in exactly the same place.
Companies have a right under US law to protect intellectual property and the trademark is considered as such. This is not a bad thing, if you have worked for years and spent significant amount of money creating a brand, trademark, etc. in the marketplace then that is ‘yours’ and no one should be allowed to take it from you, joke or no joke.
south butt needs to get a life and, a new logo…