They won’t go for that.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Daryl Hall and John Oates are suing an artisanal granola company from Brooklyn for calling one of their hipster-friendly products “Haulin’ Oats.”
The music legends claim in their Brooklyn federal suit that Red Hook-based Early Bird is profiting off their fame. “The name and mark Haulin’ Oats is an obvious play upon Plaintiff’s well-known Hall & Oates mark, and was selected by defendant in an effort to trade off of the fame and notoriety associated with the artist’s and plaintiff’s well-known marks,” the suit states.
Founded by a former manager of Brooklyn’s renowned Franny’s restaurant, Early Bird promises customers superior granola products.
The Haulin’ Oats line — which runs $27 for a three pack — is touted as a “small-batch” offering that had one customer swearing that they’ll “never eat anything else again.”
The mulleted but aging crooners trumpet their international fame in the lawsuit and refer to themselves as a “world famous” sensation that has “sold more albums that any other duo in music history,” according to the suit.
But the founder of Early Bird, Nekisia Davis, asserts on the company’s web site that her granola has also gone global.
“Her granola is sold in 38 states and in Europe and Japan,” according to the company’s Web site.
An attorney for the rock duo, Ron Israel, did not return a call for comment on the case. Early Bird also did not return requests for comment. Hall & Oates are demanding Early Bird stop using the “Haulin’ Oats” name and are also seeking damages.