THE OFFICE’s Dunder Mifflin is at the center of a trademark infringement lawsuit at NBCUniversal

Fan of The office they know the name Dunder Mifflin immediately when they hear it, as it’s the company name at the heart of workplace comedy, and it’s often mentioned throughout the series. Fans have merchandise with the fictional company including T-shirts, magnets, notebooks and more, but the name is now the focus of a trademark infringement lawsuit at NBCUniversal.

The show ran for nine seasons, from 2005 to 2013, and continues to gain more viewers and lifelong fans in syndication and streaming. So whoever owns the rights to the brand, and in turn to the merchandise, has a profitable business going on, and this should be up to the studio that created it, NBC. Instead, NBCUniversal is suing a company it calls “trademark squatters” for allegedly fraudulent trademark registration of Dunder Mifflin.

The lawsuit filed Friday in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleges that Jay Kennette Media Group and its owner, Jay Kennette, “built a business based on the registration of trademarks belonging to others” in order to sell brands to their rightful owners or to profit from “consumer confusion” by offering branded merchandise associated with a popular TV show, movie or video game with which it has no legitimate connection.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants registered the Dunder Mifflin name with the United States Patent and Trademark Office about six years ago to market hoodies, shirts, jackets and other apparel. NBCU claims it attempted to register the fake company name in 2020, but its application was denied. NBCU is challenging this decision.

The lawsuit aims to end Jay Kennette Media’s use of the Dunder Mifflin name and destroy any remaining branded merchandise. The plaintiffs – NBCUniversal Media LLC, Universal Television LLC, and Universal Studios Licensing – are also seeking unspecified damages and any profits already derived from the sale of the merchandise.

It is quite brave to buy a name like this with the intent of making a substantial profit and not think you would get caught. I hope NBC gets the rights back in their place.

The office is available for viewing on Peacock, complete with bonus cutscenes and large fan episodes.

via: Deadline