American Express Sued Over Ellen DeGeneres and Beyonce Knowles Ad
Thursday August 7, 2008
H&R Block has filed a lawsuit against American Express for trademark infringement. The controversy centers around a commercial featuring Ellen DeGeneres and Beyonce Knowles.
More on the H&R Block Vs. American Express Lawsuit:
H&R Block ads state, "I've got people," and the lawsuit says the tax prep firm has spent "hundreds of millions" on its "My People" campaign Campbell Mithun, Minneapolis, created. The papers go on to cite the use of the word "people" in the American Express commercial Ogilvy & Mather, New York, created. "During the approximately 60-second commercial, 'people' is used . . . 12 times, the concept of having 'people' is used 4 times and 'my people' is used 6 times."
Nielsen Monitor-Plus reports American Express spent $509 million in U.S. advertising in 2007. H&R Block spent $81 million.
Are the campaigns too similar? Share your opinion on this lawsuit and the ad campaigns.
- Are the Ads Too Similar?
Share Your Opinion - See the Ad:
American Express Commercial
More on the H&R Block Vs. American Express Lawsuit:
H&R Block ads state, "I've got people," and the lawsuit says the tax prep firm has spent "hundreds of millions" on its "My People" campaign Campbell Mithun, Minneapolis, created. The papers go on to cite the use of the word "people" in the American Express commercial Ogilvy & Mather, New York, created. "During the approximately 60-second commercial, 'people' is used . . . 12 times, the concept of having 'people' is used 4 times and 'my people' is used 6 times."
Nielsen Monitor-Plus reports American Express spent $509 million in U.S. advertising in 2007. H&R Block spent $81 million.
Are the campaigns too similar? Share your opinion on this lawsuit and the ad campaigns.
Comments
So I guess H&R Block coined the phrase, “Have your people call my people?” What a frivolous lawsuit.
That’s completely ridiculous! Clearly H&R Block needs cash and their lawyers think this is a good way to get it.
ellen is so wrong she should move to a deserted island
Looking at the difference in advertising budgets, it’s clear to see that H&R Block has used this lawsuit to get free publicity.
For 100 years of hollywood we have had “call my people” these ahole really think the public is confused? This company is so screwed up they think they own everything. No wonder the stock value is tanking. Idiots in leadership roles.
I agree, very frivolous…
So you know how Ellen has a segment on her Show called “what the hell are those kids talkin about?” She defines words like Shorty, Shoop, Applebottom Jeans, etc….
Well, Ellen should’ve told American Express to have Beyonce use the phrase “Have your peeps call my peeps.”… thats probably what she would have said anyways haha!! = lawsuit avoided!
This doesn’t surprise me. Few years ago Tang sued Ting a grapefruit soda (two different types of drink) Then you have McDonalds suing McDonald Chicken named after the owner that existed long before Micky D’s.
America…..Land of the Free (Money) At least that is the way that most Americans see it. I’m so sicked and tired of reading the news to find some company or person attempting to put an extremely stupid lawsuit into effect. Because it’s clear that this is ridiculous, H&R Block has officially lost a customer in me. I will not support a company that resorts to such antics.
I guess too many people are using “Turbo Tax” and H&R Block needs the money. What a frivolous lawsuit. The phrase “have your people call my people” has been around as long as there have been agents, actors, athletes…
This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard of. I am reasonably certain that the first time I ever heard “my people” was LONG before H&R Block(heads) ever got that slogan. I mean, what’s next- they sue bible manufacturers for the story where Moses says “Let “My people” go.”
Hey, H&R Block(heads)- “your people” are already GONE or your wouldn’t need such a frivolous lawsuit. “Your people” screwed up my taxes and did NOT honor their “fix it” guarantee which I bought. It’s not like Amex is competition. At least Amex stand behind their promise to unf*** things that get f***ed up.
I don’t think that they are the same at all.
Where is the H&R ad?
To Ahmad, the H&R Block commercials are part of a campaign so it’s not just one commercial. I’ve searched for them online and even H&R Block doesn’t put them on their site. Just old commercials. Can’t be too good if they’re not putting them on their own site!
Techinically they are right in the sense of people, but the phrase was there many years before “got people”. Who cares about a credit card and taxes, I don’t think ellen’s changing my view on my tax preparer.
H&R obviously lost it completely. I agree, they need money and publicity. I used H&R for several years and my refunds were pitiful.
The last two years I did my returns with TurboTax. I got great refunds and learned about deductions that were never even mentioned by the H&R blockheads.
The lawsuit is entirely unjustified. “Have your people call my people” is a Hollywood expression that is decades-old…as a member of the actors’ unions–Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and Actors’ Equity– I know. The plaintiffs are ignoramuses. It’s such a public phrase that it cannot be copyrighted. Besides, “We have people” is not at all similar to “Have your people call my people.” Then let them sue Bill Cosby whenever there are reruns of his comedy shows in which he says, “Hey, people.” H&R Block are blockheads!