Rapper IDK Calls Out Popeyes Over Trademark Because He’s Trademark Illiterate
from the clearly-you-don't-know dept
I’ll preface this post with this short bit of throat-clearing: no writer or reader of this site should expect the average person on the street to understand the nuances of intellectual property at the same level of those of us interested in the topic. The law is complicated and nuanced, and the layperson is simply not going to have the background that some of us have.
That being said, I very much would expect — nay, demand — that anyone going on the attack with threats over intellectual property concerns know what the hell they’re talking about when they do so. Take Jason Mills, a rapper known better by his nom de plume “IDK”. Mills trademarked his stage name, as one would expect. But then, as one would not expect, he apparently took issue with the following announcement from Popeyes.
You get the bit. “IDK” is shorthand for “I don’t know” and Popeyes created a meal those those who could say, “I didn’t know I needed this meal”. Mildly clever at best. But, to be fair, far more clever than IDK’s response on Twitter.
Okay, so let’s unpack this. First, there are a handful of people on Twitter telling IDK that they thought he got his own meal through Popeyes. I’m talking about a couple of people here. That counts for some measure of confusion, though I’d argue it’s extremely limited and… kind of dumb?
Especially when you consider IDK’s main salvo here: “y’all know I own the trademark for IDK?” And this is where the nuance in trademark law comes into play. See, Mills does indeed have a trademark for “IDK,” but specifically in the markets for audio/video recordings, apparel, and live music concerts. You know, rap artist stuff. What his trademark doesn’t do is let him control the use of “IDK” in the area of slingin’ chicken meals, which is what Popeyes is doing with it.
Not to mention that “IDK” is a very commonly used acronymn, as previously discussed. Even some of the replies to IDK seem to get that.
So there’s no real legal action to be had here. Popeyes’ use is perfectly legit. IDK can take away a more nuanced understanding of trademark law from this. But what can’t be done is simply saying, “Hey, I own the trademark on this” as though that were any kind of threat.
Filed Under: chicken, i don't know, idk, jason mills, trademark
Companies: popeyes
Comments on “Rapper IDK Calls Out Popeyes Over Trademark Because He’s Trademark Illiterate”
To be fair, putting his full name of “IDK Trademark Law” probably wouldn’t fit on the album cover.
Re:
“IDK basic corporate communications” is also something he can’t rap to.
It’s a mouthful, for one…
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Calling an African American illiterate in 2022. You need to do better
Re:
Nice troll bait, moron.
Re: Re:
Oh, come on! That’s insulting to morons.
Re: Racist troll
You are the first and only person to mention the subject’s race. It is mentioned nowhere in the article. It is implied nowhere.
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Re: Re:
Google is your friend.
Re: Re: Re:
You’re bad at this, aren’t you.
Re: Re: Re:
And no one gives a shit about the rapper’s race, only that he clearly does not know what a trademark violation is.
Or that he can hire lawyers to brief him on that aspect of the law…
Re: Re: Re:
You’re right!
Here you go: https://www.google.com/search?q=strawman+fallacy
Re: Re: Re:
The actual claim is that IP maximalists (not a race) is what’s linked to illiteracy. An observation the maximalist AC provides ample supporting evidence for.
Re: YGBKM
What a maroon
It’s pretty simple you get a trademark in a field, eg music, clothing, does not mean you invented idk, apple has the trademark for apple computers, apple tech computing devices, phones tablets pcs it does not sue people who sell apples or even people who sell clothes with pictures of apples or other fruit.
Eg he can’t claim he invented idk nor can sue anyone who uses the term idk in other industry’s outside the music area.
But then the average musician is not an expert in trademark law also America has free speech laws you can’t own simple basic words or stop people using them in general speech
Re:
You would think that but “the” idiots at “The” Trademark Office decided to give “The” Ohio State University rights to the word “the” because “the” would never show up in any normal English sentence as one one of “the” most used words in “the” English language
Parties who have NOT infringed on IDK’s trademark: Popeye’s
Parties who have: IDK, my BFF Jill…
TBH, IDK (the rapper) isn’t as trademark illiterate as Terry Deary and George R.R. Martin are copyright illiterate. Still a shit for brains, though.
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IDK, all 3 seem to be in the same boat, though.
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For someone who’s been an editor much of their career, George R. R. Toucher should certainly know somewhat better, so he’s got that going extra.
Rapper?
I’ve never heard of this guy before this article, so good job IDK for upping the publicity game here. (Ya I know IDK IDK)
Re:
LOL, I mean maybe this is a publicity stunt, but his recent album is pretty good. As a MD native, I dove in to listen.
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As IDK is black, I believe Popeyes owes him reparations. I mean, come on. It’s 2022. It’s time for white folks to PAY what they owe our black brothers and sisters. Stealing his trademark is worth what, at least 25 million bucks? This is much more serious than not waving to black children in a Sesame Street parade, right? Pay up, bigots.
Re:
All Popeyes’ owes IDK (the rapper) is a press release saying that their meal is not a trademark violation and that he is more than welcome to talk with them to strike a sponsorship deal or something.
And that is if the company is feeling generous.
IDK is hopefully overreacting here, but maybe he’s that petty…
Re:
tell me you’re a right-wing racist without telling me you’re a right-wing racist
Re:
Still wondering why your parents disowned you eh?
Re: Re:
To be fair, if my kid was dumb enough to call himself a descendant of Alexander Hamilton and throw his weight behind a fraudster who sued everyone who didn’t believe his claims about inventing email, I’d probably want nothing to do with him either.
“Can we fix this” …meal? (Every day.)
For his next trademark I give you: IDKWITA, as in, I Don’t Know What I’m Talking About. (Every day.)
He obviously isn’t paying his legal team enough, because if they were smart they would have stopped him before he shot off his mouth & made himself look a fool.
IDK what IDK was thinking but perhaps being in the center of it means he can’t see the reality of the situation, its a common texting shorthand, he only has control over it in very limited settings and IDK how he decided he gets to control every use of IDK out there… he gonna sue apple and google next to tell him how many times people texted IDK so he can get paid?
All I can hear in my head now..
Love that rapper from Popeye’s!
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Popeye’s has a history of racial targeting to black folks in its marketing, and while they are legally clear here, still sleazy.
IDK is likely trying to start a conversation, not a lawsuit–that’s how marketing works.
Re:
Still trying to figure out how to say you’re a racist troll without admitting you’re a racist troll, Phillip?
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Re: Re:
[Citation or GTFO]
Coming from someone who supports forever wars, and the bombing and decimation of the entire non-European world–and your support for Ukrainian Nazi’s–calling me a racist is a tough sell.
Re: Re: Re:
[Citation here]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it.
Re: Re: Re:2
Riiight. You Nazi’s got it covered. Not.
Who would expect the day when obvious Nazi’s like you could control Techdirt’s comments section?
Yet here you are.
Re: Re: Re:3
Riiight. You Nazi’s got it covered. Not.
At least you admit to being a Nazi.
Re: Re: Re:4
Phillip’s not a Nazi, actually. He’s a Putin. Completely opposite side of the political spectrum, but equally hateful and blame-shifting.
Re: Re: Re:5
I don’t think Putin is opposite the Nazis exactly. He isn’t a communist.
Re: Re: Re:6
Putin’s the one filling Ukraine with Nazis.
Re: Re: Re:
Shh honey, the adults are talking.
Re: Re: Re:
I believe that they were saying that the above comment is the evidence for their claim. I don’t see a need to include an explicit citation to the comment being replied to.
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Re: Re:
Learn to read, asshole.
And:
[Citation or GTFO]
Coming from someone who supports forever wars, and the bombing and decimation of the entire non-European world–and your support for Ukrainian Nazi’s–calling me a racist is a tough sell to anyone, esp. in light of my comment directly above your asinine Nazi shitposting..
Re: Re: Re:
[Citation here]
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it.
Re: Re: Re:2
You are what I said you are. A scumbag, and frum comment derailer. Likely ADL based on evidence.
This comment has been flagged by the community. Click here to show it.
Re: Re: Re:3
Yup–I have sent my full report to those who need it. You will soon be jousting at phantoms. And real ghosts who will put you in the EXACT PLACE you need to be put, and I will laugh–you know–THAT laugh.
Re: Re: Re:4
The only organization interested in what little information you think you have is the CCP. So much for your denial of being on their payroll.
Re: Re: Re:4
Oh, Jhon. Haven’t you learned anything yet?
Re: Re: Re:5
Any day now, any day…
Re: Re: Re:3
Every accusation a projection-filled confession.
Re: Re: Re:3 Different rapper, not that you would be able to tell
And I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am
Radio won’t even play my jam
‘Cause I am whatever you say I am
If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?
In the paper, the news, every day I am, huh
I don’t know, it’s just the way I am
Re: Re: Re:
[citation needed]
While I wouldn’t say that your comment shows you to be a racist per se, racists accuse others of racism all the time, so this isn’t a defense against that claim.
Re:
I don’t believe that there is any evidence to support the contention that IDK had such a thing in mind given that he doesn’t appear to mention—even in passing—this alleged racial targeting at all.
oh please
“Can we fix this” is NOT an attack. Its not like he threatened them will a cease and desist letter. Come on.
Re:
Asking a company to “fix” trademark infringement it’s not engaged in absolutely is a prelude to an attack at the very least. What part of that is beyond your ability to grasp?
not that great anyway
Doesnt seem like that great of a promotion for a happy meal anyway, but IDK.
Re:
It’s Mickey D’s that sells Happy Meals, not Popeye’s. Q-/
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Techdirt’s entire comments forum is controlled by AC poster who use the”Anonymous Cowherd” nym
Re:
Techdirt’s entire comments forum is controlled by is controlled by its users, but I think it should be controlled by the Chinese Central Government.
FTFY. YW.
Re: womp womp
And yet here you are, getting owned every time you open your piehole…
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Re: Re:
Your obsession with ownership is regressive, and bragging about your recent purchase of a Japanese love doll to accompany you as you read manga is interesting–but honestly, try actual human companionship once in awhile.
Re: Re: Re:
Oh, Phillip! What was that you were saying about obsession with ownership? Because the link shows such an obsession on your part, no one else’s.
Re: Re: Re:
Every accusation a confession. You’re the only incel around here, and even if I was vaguely intrigued by the Japanese love dolls you clearly know the merits of enough to recommend, I don’t need to bother buying one as long as I have my boyfriend beside me in bed every night.
Re: Re: Re: That one hit a nerve did it
Oh honey, They must have nicknamed you IMAX early on in your rather limited amount of schooling.
Re: Re: Re:
[citation needed]
Actually, don’t bother. This is an irrelevant ad hominem.
Re:
[citation needed]
Yeah, but more spice, please, in the beans and rice!
Scrolling though the articles after some absence… Oh, this one has 50+ comments and is not on one of the usual troll trigger subjects, should be interesting discussion since the guy seems genuinely confused over some marketing by people who wouldn’t necessarily know he exists.
Nope, just some desperate race-baiting from the hard of thinking. Shame.
Two things to consider
First, it may not be so much a trademark issues as an endorsement issue. As in, the rapper thinks some of his friends think the use of IDK means he’s made a deal with Popeyes to sell their chicken.
Second, as most readers of this site should know, lawyers will do anything if they can bill their client. Copyright lawyers should know IDK doesn’t have a case, but they make a fuss over the issue so they can make some money.
Ethically, lawyers should tell their clients when they don’t have a case, but how often does that happen?
Re:
“First, it may not be so much a trademark issues as an endorsement issue. As in, the rapper thinks some of his friends think the use of IDK means he’s made a deal with Popeyes to sell their chicken.”
Then, maybe that’s a lesson? If you want to build a brand, don’t try using a very well known acronym or term that was in common use before you were born?
That seems to be the main problem in a lot of these cases – they tried co-opting something that they didn’t actually come up with.