Branding Gone Wrong

You are currently viewing Branding Gone Wrong
Branding Gone Wrong

Source: http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com/Colorful-Easter-Smiley-Funny-Easter-Eggs-1238537

3 Of The Funniest Logo Infringement Cases And What Happened To Them

A logo is a perfect way to represent its ideals, beliefs, and aspirations. A logo can even stand for the same product that a company markets. A company must protect its rights when it comes to logos and trademarks.

Similarity can be very problematic for a company because it can essentially “split up” profits and confuse consumers. Similarity can also reduce a company’s brand reputation as it may become a sign of weakness for their loyal customers. These adverse effects can significantly affect a company.

For businesses to stop copycats and infringement cases, they should always opt for trademarks to protect their assets. These properties are considered intellectual property and should never become a profit for anyone except for the owner of those assets.

On a lighter note, here are some funny cases about logo infringement and copyright cases and their aftermaths.

WuMart vs. Walmart

WuMart vs. Walmart
WuMart vs. Walmart

Source: https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3932/15356987209_4ddf7b5301_z.jpg

Apart from the hilarious similarity, China’s Wumart is very similar to one of the world’s largest supermarket chains: Walmart. Wumart primarily sells various goods ranging from low-priced branded but high-quality food.

Walmart
Walmart

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Walmart_exterior.jpg

Walmart’s approach in products ranges from clothing, games, food, and a lot more. Unfortunately, although Walmart has penetrated Chinese territory for a while, its success has been relatively slow.

Aftermath:

Walmart sees Wu Mart as an entirely different entity albeit, the uncanny similarity in names. Many Walmart officials agree with Zhang Wenzhong, Wu Mart’s owner. Zhang argues that many people from China don’t know their English names.

Foreigners are the most likely to see the comparison because of the manner in writing the names in English. Wumart exists in China and has left Walmart in the dust regarding overall success.

KFC vs. OFC
KFC vs. OFC

KFC vs. OFC

OFC or Obama Fried Chicken was continually enjoying success in China as a restaurant specializing in fried chicken. The company uses former President Obama’s face as a logo with white, blue, and red color schemes. Sound eerily familiar?

KFC
KFC

 

Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Budapest_KFC_restaurant.jpg

KFC took notice and immediately threatened legal actions if OFC continued with its blatant copyright infringements.

Aftermath:

OFC was forced to change its name to UFO instead of KFC possibly going through with legal action. The restaurant still operates and opened three more stores under the new name. However, it still uses a logo similar to KFC’s Colonel Sanders. KFC is reportedly in bad taste with UFO.

7/11 vs. Super-7

7/11 vs. Super-7
7/11 vs. Super-7

Source: http://www.csnews.com/sites/default/files/styles/article-full/public/7-logos-story-image.gif?itok=NBzh-7mi

7/11 is a giant when it comes to convenience stores. Super-7, however, is a small store that specializes in inconvenience. Although their names can pass any copyright and infringement lawsuits, their logos tell different stories.

7/11’s logo is an Arabic 7 with the word “eleven” written in the middle of the 7. Super-7’s logo is the same, although instead of “eleven,” the word “super” is written instead.

Aftermath:

This time, size does matter as many people regarded the case as: “The giant who crushed the small guy.” Owners of the Super-7 lost in court, forcing them to hand over to 7/11 all signages, logos, receptacles, advertisements, and any other material which had the copycat Super-7 logo on it. Then, of course, 7/11 went on to destroy all of these materials. Welp.

Takeaway

For a company to be well known, it needs to have a good logo. A logo can either make or break the success a business can have. Also, a company has every right to defend any copyright issues that can endanger its profits legally.


Author Bio

Maria Estrada is an artist by heart. She loves seeing and experimenting with designs, from logo design to interior design. Her passion for designs urged her to apply to Print Meister, a fast-growing print advertising company in Australia.

Branding Gone Wrong

eCommerce FAQs

Passionate advocate for digital inclusivity, leading the charge at Understanding eCommerce to provide web accessibility solutions for businesses and organizations. Committed to making the online world accessible to all.