IHOP Sues IHOP; Trademark Battle Pits Pancakes vs. God

from the rooty-tooty-fresh-'n'-godly dept

Via Consumerist, we learn that the International House of Pancakes, better known as IHOP to many, is suing a megachurch that goes by the name International House of Prayer -- and also known as IHOP. IHOP (the restaurant) does have a whole bunch of trademarks on the IHOP name, but those are supposed to be limited to restaurants and such. To deal with that, IHOP (food) is claiming that IHOP (church) is serving food at some of its locations -- though it's difficult to believe that anyone is confusing their Rooty Tooty Fresh 'n' Fruity breakfast meal with saying a prayer (even if some may claim an IHOP breakfast can be a form of religious experience). Of course, IHOP (food) is claiming "dilution," which has become popular these days, despite the troubling implications of dilution as a trademark concept. It does seem likely that IHOP (church) did come up with its name based on IHOP (food), but is that really so bad? Or do we just assume that people are too clueless to recognize the difference?

Filed Under: trademark
Companies: ihop