Two American companies that went to court over how they each say “thank you” to customers have both agreed to drop all litigation as of Monday.
Citigroup, the enormous investment bank, trademarked “THANKYOU” and subsequently sued AT&T, the telecommunications conglomerate, in June. Citigroup claims the way AT&T expresses gratitude to its customers is far too similar to its own, violates the bank’s trademark and constitutes “unlawful conduct,” according to Ars Technica.
U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York Katherine Forrest, who presided over the federal case, determined that she would not restrain AT&T from thanking it customers until the trial occurred. In her ruling, Forrest says she denied Citigroup’s request because its argument “does not suffice to meet its burden on this prong absent a demonstration of irreparable harm.”
Ars Technica acquired Citigroup’s trademark certificates, which lists its proprietary phrases, including “CITI THANKYOU.”
AT&T also trademarked “AT&T THANKS” and filed a counterclaim against Citigroup because the banking corporation was “attempting to monopolize for its own exclusive use the common English phrase ‘thank you.'”
Both parties filed a “stipulation of dismissal” Monday, which will seemingly put an end to the legal battle.
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