What do undershirts, boxer shorts, and athletic socks have to do with chickpeas, lemon, and garlic?\u00a0 Still thinking?\u00a0 Scratching your head?\u00a0 Yeah, me too.\u00a0 And so is small business owner, Yohannes Petros, founder and owner of Hanes Hummus, an emerging Canadian company which makes and distributes hummus to local food stores, and who is being threatened with a lawsuit by underwear manufacturer Hanesbrand, Inc., for trademark violation.<\/p>\n
Petros\u2019 growing business was born out of a delicious hummus recipe, a passion to pursue his dream, and the support of his local community.\u00a0 Naming the business \u201cHanes Hummus\u201d seemed only logical and fitting to the man whose life-long nickname has been \u201cHanes.\u201d<\/p>\n
A cease and desist letter sent to Yohannes Petros from Hanesbrand\u2019s attorney, Richard S. Donnell warned Petros, “The mark\u00a0HANES\u00a0HUMMUS is essentially identical and confusingly similar to the\u00a0HANES\u00a0mark.\u00a0 Your client’s mark incorporates the distinctive\u00a0 HANES\u00a0mark in its entirety and the mere addition of the generic wording HUMMUS does not distinguish the marks.”<\/p>\n
But Yohannes is not backing down to the boxer short baron\u2019s request to immediately destroy all materials containing the words \u201cHanes Hummus\u201d and is preparing to stand up to the oppressive and bully tactics of this multi-billion dollar corporation.<\/p>\n
How many more mom-and-pop businesses and companies are going to be squeezed out by huge corporations with deep pockets and well-paid attorneys at their disposal?\u00a0 \u00a0Most fledgling local businesses such as Petros\u2019, with a staff of four, do not have the wherewithal or resources to face off to a company this powerful and many are confronted with the harsh reality of closing their doors in these situations.<\/p>\n
So how do we combat corporate greed?\u00a0 How do we create a more even playing field when the rules, as they are currently structured, are designed to make sure one side always wins?<\/p>\n
By talking about it, by spreading the word, and by supporting our local businesses.\u00a0 We can use our voices to educate and inform.\u00a0 We can use our dollars to make conscious choices and declarations of who we are.\u00a0 We can say no to the covetous corporations who undercut and overpower the creativity and spirit of the neighborhood dreamers and doers.<\/p>\n
How much is enough?\u00a0 How much is too much?\u00a0 Is there truly enough to go around?<\/p>\n
Maybe I am just simply missing something here.\u00a0 Perhaps Yohannes Petros\u2019 small hummus business will cripple the highly successful undershirt maker with his tasty healthy treat.\u00a0 I guess it is possible that the name \u201cHanes Hummus\u201d might confuse and derail the average consumer who visits their local department store looking for a comfortable bra into mistakenly purchasing some delicious hummus instead.<\/p>\n
Seriously?<\/p>\n
Does Hanesbrand, Inc., a company whose own press release anticipated net sales at $4.6 billion for 2013, have cause to be worried by the \u201cHanes Hummus\u201d or the \u201cHanes Plumbing\u201d or the \u201cHanes Pet Grooming\u201d entrepreneurs of the world?\u00a0 Will they suddenly be forced to pay Michael Jordan only a small fraction of his multi-million dollar contract to promote their briefs?\u00a0 Will Hanesbrand CEO Richard Noll, who recently sold 30,000 shares of Hanesbrand stock for $2,064,000.00, be unable to survive on his remaining 621,163 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,736,014?<\/p>\n
When will we, as a society, stop supporting gigantic corporations with our money, big businesses who function from a place of greed and who engage in these arm-twisting techniques, just so we can save a buck or two?<\/p>\n