Music
The Doobie Brothers spark a lawsuit over the word "Doobie"
by Jeremy Mersereau
July 30, 2015
The Doobie Bros. are suing a band called The Doobie Decimal System for trademark infringement. Doobie.
1973’s hottest act, The Doobie Brothers, are back in the headlines at last! I always knew this day would come, and was right to hang on to my “This Doob’s For You” t-shirt… Wait, what? You young’uns don’t know the Doobies? The funky riffs of Jeff “Skunk” Baxter? The bong-blasting bass of Tiran Porter? The competent keyboard playing of Michael McDonald? Say it ain’t so!
The four-time Grammy winners are suing a folk-rock duo by the name of The Doobie Decimal System (ugh) for infringing on their trademark of the word “Doobie.” Since 1982, any musical project that wants to use the word “Doobie” in their name or to advertise their performances has apparently needed permission from the Bros. Could this spell the end for my reggae-infused cover band, Doobastank? That band is my life! You’ve bested me for the last time, McDonald!
Doobro Entertainment and Doobie Brothers Corp. are claiming that The Doobie Decimal System’s moniker is too similar to their own, and that the System’s name “exhibits willful intent to trade on the fame and reputation, or to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, or to deceive consumers” into thinking the duo is affiliated with the Doobie Brothers. The Doobie Bros. are demanding that the Doobie System stop using the word “Doobie” immediately, and are seeking Doobie damages for trademark infringement on the word “Doobie”, which the Doobie Brothers control. Damn! Three more Doobies and I would’ve had the record for most Doobies in a sentence, but it looks like the record will stay with Willie Nelson (set at a house party in 1991).
In the end, The Doobie Decimal System would have no problem paying out damages if they lose the suit: Band member Roger McNamee is also the co-founder of two multi-billion dollar equity firms, Silver Lake Partners and Elevation Partners, the latter of which he founded with Bono. Related: The Doobie Decimal System’s logo is a wide-eyed raccoon smoking an enormous joint. I’m going to assume that’s also the logo of Silver Lake Partners.
[H/T Billboard]