Hormel won't appeal Spam Arrest decision

Hormel Foods Inc. has decided not to appeal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board's decision on the Spam Arrest case in favor of the software maker.

In case you don't remember, this stems from a ruling made in November by the TTAB. It tossed out Hormel's case trying to stop the Seattle-based Spam Arrest LLC from using Spam in its name. That was the finale of a case that had rolled on for more than five years.

There are many similar Hormel vs Spam-linked companies pending. I know the attorney for Spam Arrest expected Hormel to appeal the decision, but apparently the Austin-based Fortune 500 company has decided not to appeal.

Here's a reply I got last week in response to one of my weekly queries about an appeal:

We continue to stand behind our position that “SPAM” is a famous brand for a variety of meat and other products and that the name should not be used as a brand for anything else.

We have decided, however, not to continue opposing trademark uses of the name for software designed to stop unwanted e-mail.

We believe that our time and corporate resources can be better used to support this iconic brand and the versatile, nutritious and delicious product that it represents.

Julie Henderson Craven   Vice President Corporate Communications | Hormel Foods Corporation

I'm not sure what this means for other cases. I'm checking on that.

Comments

[Pepto]

Hormel is missing the boat. It should brand SPAM as a laxative, too.