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ARTICLE · 21 MAY 2020

Not-On-The-Subway Series: Celebrity Talk Back

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
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Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

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Remember the Grammy's a few years back, when Arby's shouted out to Pharrell Williams on Twitter, requesting the return of its hat.

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment

Remember the Grammy's a few years back, when Arby's shouted out to Pharrell Williams on Twitter, requesting the return of its hat. (See here.)  And Pharrell, good sport that he was, tweeted back at the restaurant chain, accusing it of starting a "roast beef"? Other brands with hat-wearing trademarks jumped into the action. Hilarity and rampant re-tweeting ensued. A social media win.

That exchange was the bane of advertising lawyers everywhere: the celebrity was perfectly game about having a public exchange with a brand without (presumably) getting paid and HE DIDN'T SUE. That result led to marketing teams everywhere demanding why, pray tell, they couldn't do THE SAME THING. After all, say the marketers: (1) EVERYONE talks about celebrities on social media, so why can't we? And (2) Arby's did it and didn't get sued.

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www.fkks.com

This post first appeared in Frankfurt Kurnit's Focus on the Data blog (www.focusonthedata.com). It provides general coverage of its subject area. We provide it with the understanding that Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz is not engaged herein in rendering legal advice, and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from any error, inaccuracy, or omission. Our attorneys practice law only in jurisdictions in which they are properly authorized to do so. We do not seek to represent clients in other jurisdictions.

Originally published by the New York Legal Ethics Reporter

www.fkks.com

This alert provides general coverage of its subject area. We provide it with the understanding that Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz is not engaged herein in rendering legal advice, and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from any error, inaccuracy, or omission. Our attorneys practice law only in jurisdictions in which they are properly authorized to do so. We do not seek to represent clients in other jurisdictions.

www.fkks.com

This alert provides general coverage of its subject area. We provide it with the understanding that Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz is not engaged herein in rendering legal advice, and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from any error, inaccuracy, or omission. Our attorneys practice law only in jurisdictions in which they are properly authorized to do so. We do not seek to represent clients in other jurisdictions.

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