Hall & Oates Suing Makers of ‘Haulin’ Oates’ Granola

Chris-Pizzello/AP
Chris-Pizzello/AP

Your kiss may be on their list, but don’t mess with the Hall and Oats brand… they can’t go for that.

Dynamic pop-soul duo Hall and Oats is suing a New York-based food company for trademark infringement, claiming Early Bird Foods & Co. is using a “phonetic play on Daryl Hall and John Oates’ well-known brand name.”

Early Bird’s Haulin’ Oats granola, the defendant in the Brooklyn, NY lawsuit, claims the product creates an “out-of-this-world delicious, wholesome and nourishing small batch granola and other foods by hand.”

Daryl Hall and John Oates don’t share that warm sentiment for the product, as their suit alleges: “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.”

While Haulin’ Oats granola sells for a minimum of $27 for three packets, The Very Best of Daryl Hall &John Oates is available for purchase for a nominal $6.99, an obvious better deal if you find yourself picking sides.

In semi-related news: This is not the first time the band’s name has been linked to breakfast treats. In 2012, Rolling Stone unveiled its “If Music Stars had Cereals” list. The idea for a band-themed “Honey Bunches of Hall & Oates” cereal soon went viral.

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