The popular phrase "Who Dat" may soon return to the public domain where it rightfully belongs.
The popular phrase "Who Dat" may soon return to the public domain where it rightfully belongs. In a terse, two-sentence announcement posted Monday on its website, The National Football League announced it has reached a settlement with Who Dat, Inc. owner Steve Monistere, who claims he and his brother trademarked the phrase in 1983. The company filed suit against the NFL and the New Orleans Saints last year claiming trademark infringement, but Monday's announcement said all parties have agreed to make Saints "Who Dat" merchandise available to fans, although no such merchandise appears to be available Tuesday at nfl.com.
The Times-Picayune is also reporting that three other companies, two of which had been selling "Who Dat" merchandise and a third that wants to use the phrase for a coffee shop, filed motions to have Monistere's remaining trademark complaints dismissed. An attorney representing one of those companies argues that Who Dat, Inc.'s trademark registrations with the state long ago expired. If the remaining complaints are dismissed, likely anyone can market and sell anything bearing the phrase.
Read more here.