Why The Grumpy Cat Copyright Case Should Give Businesses ‘Paws' For Thought

When Grumpy Cat entered the public consciousness back in 2012, she quickly moved from being merely another meme, to being the face of countless products ranging from pillows and mugs to clothing and bags. The melancholic feline even 'authored' a book, The Grumpy Guide to Life, which went on to be a New York Times bestseller.

In January it was reported that Grumpy Cat Limited, the company behind the Grumpy Cat (real name Tardar Sauce), was awarded a six figure sum as damages for copyright and trade mark infringement by the Grenade Beverage company.

The background to the dispute was an agreement previously reached between Grumpy Cat Ltd and Grenade whereby Grenade were authorised to use the Grumpy Cat brand on a product marketed and sold by Grenade, Grumpy Cat Grumppuccino. When Grenade subsequently launched lines of coffee and T Shirts with the Grumpy Cat brand however, not covered by the original agreement, fur was ruffled and court action taken.