For years, the name Gerber has been a household name. It's hard to say the name "Gerber" without picturing an adorable, squishy, happy baby.Not only does Gerber produce baby food, but they also own the rights to the name "Onesie."
As a matter of fact, any time you say or write the word "Onesie" you are referring to a trademarked brand!
The word "Onesie" has become such a commonly used generic household name for a one-piece baby bodysuit that many don't even realize that Gerber owns the right to that name. In fact, when you are talking about or referring to any "Onesie", Gerber brand or not, Gerber believes you are referring to their Onesies.
Who knew such a generic, simple, common word could cause so much trouble and problems???
About 2 years ago, we were contacted by a Gerber Lawyer asking us to "cease and desist" the use of the word "Onesie" in our website OR ELSE!
Our good friend, who happens to be a Lawyer, sent them a letter on our behalf and we didn't hear back from them for 2 YEARS!
That was only the beginning...
Who knew, 2 years later, this cuddly, happy, baby-loving, multi-million dollar company would care so deeply about sending our friendly, sweet, cuddly, baby-loving, create-your-own-onesie-business-to- support-husband-who-has-lost-his-job-and-is-going-back-to-school...OUT OF BUSINESS!!
A quick google search shows a lot of moms who have had the same problems with Gerber. One mom in particular said, "F@$% Gerber!!!" Well said, Sister...I know it's wrong, but her words give us comfort.
Long story short, Gerber, once again, asked us to "cease and desist" OR ELSE!
We had a few options:
- Stop using Createaonesie.com, but we were #1 on the google search engine and were afraid of losing that business.
- Gerber gave us the option of selling Gerber products on our website. However, Gerber "Onesies," in our opinion, are one of the worst one-piece bodysuits out there so that wasn't an option!
- We could sell generic "Onesies" and refer to them as bodysuits and sell "Gerber Onesies" as well.
- They would buy our domain name for the same amount we would get from collecting cans all day.
- Let them sue us and try to fight saying the name is generic...like we have anything for them to profit from anyway!
- Contact the media and dream about Good Morning America contacting us to come on their show to talk about how this multi-million dollar company is destroying the American Dream of a small mom and pop shop. All who watched would feel anguish for the young couple whose husband lost his job, had to move his family back in with his parents, and is trying to make ends meet while going back to school full-time and supporting his family. Can't you see it?!
- No longer use the word "Onesie" and start all over...
Hasn't this summer been exciting? I know you're dying to find out more about my summer...stay tuned for news about the Slumber Party I attended and Michael and Anne's wedding!!
20 comments:
Ha ha! I hate Gerber! And I love Albertson's! ;-) Are you really going to blog about your "slumber party?" That should be juicy... Good post...and again, stupid Gerber!
Ya, I agree STUPID GERBER! It's the Mom and Pop's that are living the American Dream and create the vision for going after them. Go to H#@$ you million-dollar dream killers. GRRR! Okay I'm calm, and I gotta say I'm interested to see your "Slumber Party" post, too.
Wow!! That's all I can say. I'm glad that everything seems to be working out with the new website. Can't wait to hear about the rest of the summer :)
That is crazy that they would go after you. And they make the lowest quality onsies too.
I am so tempted to ask you to post this on my sewing site! I think it would help get the word out there that Gerber sucks. So Sorry. It is somewhat crazy that they waited that long to do anything.
That is truly horrible! I'm glad it worked out, I will never look at
gerber in the same way....
What the? That's the craziest thing ever. I didn't even know Gerber made onesies, let alone thinks they invented them. I only think of baby food when it comes to Gerber.
Good luck with the new site!
Oh my WORD! That is so crazy...hope all goes well with the new name.
I went to a "Slumber Party" once...laughing a little, wondering if you went to what I am thinking you went too:)...FUNNY stuff;).
Hey, just a thought...I told Chuck about your AWESOME Albertson's deal (he is in the food business), he mentioned that Albertson's was just bought out by Associated Food's...he is under the impression that eventually there won't be any "Albertson's"...that doesn't neccessarily mean that the employees will change or any of the ordering for stores, it just might be a good thing to ask your Albertson's contact about for future planning.
Damn Gerber!!!! I still say #6 is a viable option!
That is CRAZY... I had some other words in mind but we will keep in G rated. If I had anything in my house with the Gerber label I think I would trash it.
I am glad that it all worked out in the end and I am SURE everything will work out in the end!!
That sucks Kimberly! Gerber sucks! Can't wait to hear the rest. I love your blog.
Yikes! I still think you should keep at option #6! I'll be placing an order soon, BTW. :)
Can you say class action suit? It would be your own little Erin Brochovic...
Wow I'm sorry, goodluck! I'm sure the new website will be just as successful!
Wow you have been very busy, I wondered where you had been...fighting BIG Corporate America, sorry, it sucks!!
Your cake is adorable and it looks like you guys had a fun summer. Great pics on the magazine cover, can he make me look about 35 years younger?? If he can, he has a job!
We will boycott Gerber and use...what is the name of the other brand...um....we will use that one!
I am glad you hear things are still working out....Good Luck.
Kelly
As if some people don't already have enough money. Let's go after some poor innocent family trying to pay their bills...RUDE! And it's true, Gerber's "bodysuits" are the worst quality....is that a coinicidence? I think not!
WOW! I'm sorry for that hassle, that is the dumbest thing ever. I had no idea that a "onesie" was Gerbers.
Best of luck to you guys, sounds like you are doing great despite them!
They own the name "onsie" but your website is "creataonsei." It's clearly not the same word. Let em sue!
When I draw a picture, it may look like the photo I was looking at, but it aint baby! And no one can sue me for it. Same thing here. You did a variation on the word onsie. Just mush it all together all the time and violi- Gerber can suck it!
Coin your own phrase.
Also, twitter about it a lot. Apparently twitter gets some big attention from some big people. Worth a try.
Maybe talk to gephart or channel two??? I'm brain storming.
Wait.. you already mentioned the media...
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