Tag Archives: USPTO

ALS ASSOCIATION SUES THE HOT COP OF CASTRO FOR INFRINGEMENT (VIDEO)

Chris Kohrs, the Hot Cop of CastroWashington, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) – It was just a matter of time. The Hot Cop of Castro finally accepted the Ice Bucket Challenge and the ALS Association is not happy.  In fact, it is suing Chris Kohrs and the San Francisco Police Department for “infringement of an idea” and for “donation laundering.”

The Ice Bucket Challenge is the viral social media campaign aimed at raising funds for ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Thousands have accepted the challenge by dousing themselves with a bucket of ice and posting a video on social media. They then challenged others  to do the same within 24 hours or make a donation to the ALS Association (or both).

Kohrs had himself doused not once but five times with a bucket of ice at a fundraising event to benefit a memorial fund for the San Francisco Police Department.  The event was held at The Cafe bar in the Castro, the city’s gay district.

Upon learning of the fundraising event, the ALS Association filed a lawsuit for infringement and laundering, claiming that the hot cop stole its idea to raise funds for a different cause.

Attorneys for the SFPD responded that the ALS Association does not own the trademark for the Ice Bucket Challenge.  A quick check by The Adobo Chronicles confirmed that there is no such trademark or pending trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The ALS Association is now considering an out-of-court settlement where the proceeds from the Castro event will be split 50-50 between the Association and SFPD.

All’s well that ends well!