WWE threatens Young Bucks with cease and desist for "too sweet" gesture

[Triple A]

smh

http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/young-bucks-cease-desist-wwe/#.WcxIh1uPLZ4

The Young Bucks Hit With ACTUAL Cease And Desist From WWE Over ‘Too Sweet’ Hand Gesture

After months of joking about it, and just one day after Bullet Club “invaded” Raw, WWE sent The Young Bucks an ACTUAL cease and desist letter over the “Too Sweet” hand gesture.

Pro Wrestling Sheet has confirmed WWE reached out to the popular Ring of Honor/NJPW tag team to say they own the copyright to the “Too Sweet” hand gesture and have discovered that the brothers have been using it in other companies, as well as on merch.

Therefore, WWE is demanding the Bucks stop using WWE intellectual property in-ring and on any merchandise immediately. If not, they may be hit with $150K in damages or more.

They also want an agreement in writing saying the brothers wont use WWE IP again in the future.

It’s unclear at this point whether The Young Bucks plan to fight this, but sources tell us they’ve consulted with a lawyer and will figure out what’s best in the days to come.

While we don’t know for sure, it’s hard not to assume that this was done as a reaction to the Bullet Club “invading” Raw this week.

[BigCrippyZ]

:lol:

[Destor]

Bout time

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Ha, this is was the one where they had blessings from Hall, Nash and Pac on too. Probably shouldn't have exposed that even their half-empty arenas are papered with free tickets these days.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

https://68.media.tumblr.com/10a1feb07c5f8c7589d815970bbf15e5/tumblr_ogu3a3aAED1s05wxzo2_400.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hahaha. What are they going to do now?

[Evil Vito]

The whole Bullet Club except for Nick Jackson seem to be taking it in stride, and Nick's Twitter "rants" about it are getting a lot of buzz.

The Young Bucks know what they are doing. And good on them. They are working their audience just as much as the WWE tries (and lately fails) to work their audience.

[Jordan]

I never liked anyone borrowing the NWO or DX gimmick to get over in this day, never sold a ticket to me, I lived through it once, and then the many times it was revived, I'm good on Too Sweet and Klique hand gestures.

I like the Buck's and am proud of them for being the hottest act in the world not signed to WWE. This could be a chance for a revamp for them, everyone has to evolve and they've been the same since they arrive.

[Destor]

I never liked anyone borrowing the NWO or DX gimmick to get over in this day, never sold a ticket to me, I lived through it once, and then the many times it was revived, I'm good on Too Sweet and Klique hand gestures.

I like the Buck's and am proud of them for being the hottest act in the world not signed to WWE. This could be a chance for a revamp for them, everyone has to evolve and they've been the same since they arrive.
Thats not true...Omega, Richochet, Osprey, Okada, (though inactive) Punk, hell Gotto and Naito too...I could keep going. They'd crack a top 20 though.

[Simple Fan]

This just gives the Bucks more publicity and shows that WWE is paying attention to them. Also kind of feels like WWE saying if you want to Too Sweet you'll have to come here with you former Club members.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

WWE could go much further. The Whole Bullet Club is an nWo ripoff. WWE owns the nWo. Could sue to stop the whole group. Superkick Twins should be happy they aren't going for it all.

Suck it and Forever The Revival. :lol:

[Cool King]

After months of joking about it, and just one day after Bullet Club “invaded” Raw .... it’s hard not to assume that this was done as a reaction to the Bullet Club “invading” Raw this week.

What?

Did I miss something?

[Vastardikai]

I would take G.o.D. (provided they can work a match without 800 "fuck you"s.), Hangman Page, and Scruill. The rest I could do without.

[Simple Fan]

What?

Did I miss something?

SngRskLscAw

[thecc]

WWE could go much further. The Whole Bullet Club is an nWo ripoff. WWE owns the nWo. Could sue to stop the whole group. Superkick Twins should be happy they aren't going for it all.

Suck it and Forever The Revival. :lol: You mean the idea that wcw stole from new japan.

[Heisenberg]

nWo 4-4-4 lyfe

[Swiss Ultimate]

WWE could go much further. The Whole Bullet Club is an nWo ripoff. WWE owns the nWo. Could sue to stop the whole group. Superkick Twins should be happy they aren't going for it all.

Suck it and Forever The Revival. :lol:

Not how it works.

[Swiss Ultimate]

If I can beat the WWE Legal team by just clicking buttons, anyone can.

[Emperor Smeat]

Depending on the wording of the trademark, WWE might not even own the actual rights to the "Too Sweet" gesture since supposedly North Carolina State university has legal rights or ownership as well.


Ha, this is was the one where they had blessings from Hall, Nash and Pac on too. Probably shouldn't have exposed that even their half-empty arenas are papered with free tickets these days.
Yeah them pulling that part of the DX invasion stunt was the final straw for the WWE. Before that, Young Bucks and Elite were nothing more than a little annoyance to them.

[Swiss Ultimate]

They still are.

[#1-norm-fan]

Why are they going after this and not the DX stuff?

[Emperor Smeat]

Some details about WWE's ownership of the gesture and why the Bucks could win the legal case over its usage if it wasn't going to be a very costly matter.

Pretty much the Bucks can argue prior usage and WWE's lack of litigation with certain gestures and phrases till very recently as key reasons in their favor against WWE's legal threats.

It's worth noting that WWE never registered ownership of the drawing of the "Kliq hand gesture" until 2015. While WWE never used the symbol for years, it became a regular part of New Japan Pro Wrestling and The Bullet Club when Prince Devitt started the group before he came to WWE and became Finn Balor. The Bucks started marketing the symbol in 2013 but The Observer notes that getting into a legal battle with WWE over the symbol would be costly for them.

[Stickman]

who?

[TSI]

I can appreciate that these guys are making moves and making money outside the wwe. Thats important for sure. Having said that, I feel like they get over by hijacking all the coolest spots from everyone else.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Not how it works.

Actually EXACTLY how it works. It's called companies defending the rights to their intellectual property.

[Cool King]

SngRskLscAw

Oh.

That's stupid.

[Evil Vito]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cease &amp; Desist! NOW AVAILABLE! <a href="https://t.co/i1xtEBKEqC">https://t.co/i1xtEBKEqC</a> <a href="https://t.co/eyyGWpO8JR">pic.twitter.com/eyyGWpO8JR</a></p>&mdash; The Young Bucks (@MattJackson13) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/913854547574919168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More money for the Young Bucks! Good work WWE.

[Cool King]

It makes me sad to know that there are people out there that will actually buy that.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cease &amp; Desist! NOW AVAILABLE! <a href="https://t.co/i1xtEBKEqC">https://t.co/i1xtEBKEqC</a> <a href="https://t.co/eyyGWpO8JR">pic.twitter.com/eyyGWpO8JR</a></p>&mdash; The Young Bucks (@MattJackson13) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/913854547574919168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More money for the Young Bucks! Good work WWE.

WWE''s mission was not to deny Young Bucks money. Only money based on their IP. Smart move by the Young Bucks but nothing to insult WWE over.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

It makes me sad to know that there are people out there that will actually buy that.

Many people bought signed copies of Russo/Cornette restraining order. Money was donated to charity for that Sale though.

[Emperor Smeat]

It makes me sad to know that there are people out there that will actually buy that.

They also are selling ring worn "Two Sweet" tights although all proceeds are going towards a children's hospital in Atlanta.

[Fignuts]

Actually EXACTLY how it works. It's called companies defending the rights to their intellectual property.

They would have nothing to stand on outside of the gestures. The WWE does not own the colors white and black, or the concept of a faction.

[RaginRonic]

They also are selling ring worn "Two Sweet" tights although all proceeds are going towards a children's hospital in Atlanta.

Atlanta, huh?

I heard the only good thing there is Cartoon Network/[adult swim].

XB

[Simple Fan]

Atlanta, huh?

I heard the only good thing there is Cartoon Network/[adult swim].

XB

Are you implying that this whole cease and desist angle was just a ploy by Cartoon Network, and the original letter from Rick and Morty was only to get charity for this hospital? If so genius idea.

[Evil Vito]

The Cease and Desist shirt became the top selling shirt on Pro Wrestling Tees within an hour of it going up.

[Sixx]

SngRskLscAw

Wow, fucking clowns.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Actually EXACTLY how it works. It's called companies defending the rights to their intellectual property.

No seriously. They're not going to be able to win a case that somebody else is "ripping" them off.

See The Book.

It just doesn't work the same as you guys think it does. WWE legal team constantly tries to intimidate wrestlers and fans, but they have no teeth. The Young Bucks are more than safe under current laws.

I've never seen an actual match with them, but I'm glad they're winning against the WWE machine.

[Malfeitor]

The Bucks are awesome. Saw them wrestle in front of 50 people here in Southern California some years back. It’s crazy to see how huge they’ve gotten.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Somebody needs to threaten the Young Bucks with some protein, weights, and psychology.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Somebody needs to threaten the Young Bucks with some protein, weights, and psychology.

:lol:

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Cease and Desist shirt became the top selling shirt on Pro Wrestling Tees within an hour of it going up.

This is a sad fucking world.

[Fignuts]

This is a sad fucking world.

It's just a t shirt on a smark website you big drama queen.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

It's just a t shirt on a smark website you big drama queen.

Seconded

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's just a t shirt on a smark website you big drama queen.

Yeah, and it's sad that people would spend their money on it. That's a straight-forward statement to make. Nothing drama queen about it, drama queen.

"Oh, the Transformers franchise sucks."
"Drama queen."
"Man, I really don't like that Taylor Swift song."
"Drama queen!"
"The Young Bucks are shit."
"DRAMA QUEEN!"

Go fuck yourself. They suck. Get over it and appreciate the irony of your statement.

[Swiss Ultimate]

I'm happy they're making a lot of money.

[Mr. Nerfect]

In a capitalist sense: Good for them.

In a "there's no justice in this world" sense: There's no justice in this world.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Young Bucks are worth about $1.50. Neither of them is even a "bucks". More a buck and a half.

[Swiss Ultimate]

They seem fun. I haven't really watched any of their stuff outside the mini-documentary Rolling Stone did.

[Simple Fan]

SZ1zcYGONx8

[Fignuts]

Yeah, and it's sad that people would spend their money on it. That's a straight-forward statement to make. Nothing drama queen about it, drama queen.

"Oh, the Transformers franchise sucks."
"Drama queen."
"Man, I really don't like that Taylor Swift song."
"Drama queen!"
"The Young Bucks are shit."
"DRAMA QUEEN!"

Go fuck yourself. They suck. Get over it and appreciate the irony of your statement.

lol you did not say "They suck". I would have had no problem if you did. I don't like their work either.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, I get it, you take everything literally. I very clearly meant that they suck. So you clearly don't have a problem. So don't be a "drama queen." As I said, sit down and appreciate the irony.

[Destor]

As long as we agree they suck

[Destor]

This is a time for unity guys, let the bucks unite us

[Simple Fan]

I don't agree that they suck as they truly understand the business and are drawing outside of WWE. Their style might not be universally liked but they've found something that is and are making money. They study the business and are innovative in their own right. I have no doubt they'll eventually end up in WWE especially after this stunt. Vince gave them publicity, he'd be dumb not to capitalize off of it.

[Destor]

#youwillnotdivideus #tpwwtogether #nomorefans

[Fignuts]

Oh, I get it, you take everything literally. I very clearly meant that they suck. So you clearly don't have a problem. So don't be a "drama queen." As I said, sit down and appreciate the irony.

Well you don't exactly come off like you'd be joking about that sort of thing.

[#1-norm-fan]

As long as we agree they suck

Destor stole my post.

[Tom Guycott]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cease &amp; Desist! NOW AVAILABLE! <a href="https://t.co/i1xtEBKEqC">https://t.co/i1xtEBKEqC</a> <a href="https://t.co/eyyGWpO8JR">pic.twitter.com/eyyGWpO8JR</a></p>&mdash; The Young Bucks (@MattJackson13) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattJackson13/status/913854547574919168?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

More money for the Young Bucks! Good work WWE.

Too Sweat???

[thecc]

As long as we agree they suckChange this to Sami Calihan and I'm in.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Hey fuck you, Sami's the shit.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Hey fuck you, Sami's the shit.

Literally, judging by his NXT outfit.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Looks like Will Ospreay has also been hit, for shirts that might fall under parody law (see www.qwertee.com for examples of how that can apply and somehow be sold) but it's probably not worth fighting them over. Less direct rip off than the Bucks anyway.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Well Young Bucks ain't the only one that's been hit with a Cease &amp; Desist. I can no longer sell &quot;Paw is War&quot; or &quot;Kitty Style&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xGUiJvub28">pic.twitter.com/xGUiJvub28</a></p>&mdash; William Ospreay (@WillOspreay) <a href="https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/915227586233618433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Here's the shirts:

https://i.imgur.com/5bo3LoP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fpYUa3G.jpg

[Destor]

I dont see how the fed is the bad guy here

[Anybody Thrilla]

Literally, judging by his NXT outfit.

I will fucking cut you.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

I dont see how the fed is the bad guy here

They're not really, they're defending shit. but if it went to court, I would have no doubt WWE would lose based on parody laws. That's why I included the Qwertee example, their entire business is doing these parody t-shirts and they don't mind opposing C&D orders

Like this is legal:

https://cdn.qwertee.com/images/designs/product-thumbs/1506524246-122080-zoom-500x600.jpg

[Destor]

Fed would drag it out for years before it saw court...bucks would go broke

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Oh yeah, I'm not even talking Bucks here, I was talking about Ospreay's shirts.

[Destor]

Yeah, same deal tho

[Evil Vito]

I was never even a massive fan of the Bucks but the more people on the interwebs shit on them, the more I pull for them and want to see them succeed.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was never even a massive fan of the Bucks but the more people on the interwebs shit on them, the more I pull for them and want to see them succeed.

The interwebs are the only people who give a shit about them. No one outside the "IWC" has heard of The Young Bucks, and even fewer would care.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I dont see how the fed is the bad guy here

That big evil corporation is not letting people steal its trademarks in order to market themselves.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Dont even think wwe owns 2 sweet. Pretty sure its owned by a college basketball team called the wolfpack or something. But similar to Ospreay its not worth the legal fees to fight.

[Evil Vito]

The interwebs are the only people who give a shit about them. No one outside the "IWC" has heard of The Young Bucks, and even fewer would care.

No one outside of the IWC has heard of them? They've been in NJPW for ages.....guess anyone who watches that and goes to those shows must be part of the IWC.

Semantics aside, none of this has stopped them from making a nice living for themselves.

Everyone's got different tastes and that's all well and good. If people who didn't like them just shut the fuck up about them and moved on with their lives, I wouldn't care.

But when I hear people complaining that they should be thrown out of the industry....you damn right I'm gonna want to see them keep making money.

[Destor]

Everyone is apart of the IWC

[Evil Vito]

EVERYTHING IS EVIL

[Destor]

Wish evil would hit the gym...he's so fluffy. It makes me laugh.


He's like I AM AN ANGENT OF DEATH but twinkies are amazing

[#BROKEN Hasney]

TWINKIES ARE EVIL

[Triple A]

"Haskins/Flash try to force the Young Bucks to Too Sweet to get them into legal trouble."

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DMu0PnIVwAAfNkm.jpg

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

"Haskins/Flash try to force the Young Bucks to Too Sweet to get them into legal trouble."

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DMu0PnIVwAAfNkm.jpg

Hahahahaha

[Destor]

respect

[Sepholio]

Looks like The Young Bucks sold out the VFW again.

[Triple A]

Was at a PWG show, which is in the same small venue every time and sells out in minutes

[Vastardikai]

It looks like you could leave the ring, get a hot dog, and get back into the ring and beat the 10 count.

[Destor]

Yeah the pwg building doesnt seat many. If it exeedes 350 or 400 the fire marshall would shut them down

[Swiss Ultimate]

They don't have hotdogs at that venue.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Looks like Young Bucks are not in any danger of legal action from the WWE.

[Vastardikai]

This leads me to my next question: What are they charging for tickets, then?

Because I'm trying to figure out how PWG is making any money.

Ok, All Star Weekend tickets were $70 for anything not front row. So, if they max out at 400 people... roughly $30,000 a night. Fair enough.

Related, I think I need to get a food truck license for CA, so I can set up a hot dog stand outside that arena. From what I see, I could make a killing just working a couple days a month.

[Destor]

This leads me to my next question: What are they charging for tickets, then?

Because I'm trying to figure out how PWG is making any money.

Ok, All Star Weekend tickets were $70 for anything not front row. So, if they max out at 400 people... roughly $30,000 a night. Fair enough.

Related, I think I need to get a food truck license for CA, so I can set up a hot dog stand outside that arena. From what I see, I could make a killing just working a couple days a month.

They sell the shows online as well

[Simple Fan]

Related, I think I need to get a food truck license for CA, so I can set up a hot dog stand outside that arena. From what I see, I could make a killing just working a couple days a month.

You may be able to market your food as Too Sweet if that's any incentive seeing as it wouldn't necessarily be wrestling related.

[Vastardikai]

You may be able to market your food as Too Sweet if that's any incentive seeing as it wouldn't necessarily be wrestling related.

That's what I'd call my Iced Tea. :shifty:

[#1-norm-fan]

They don't have hotdogs at that venue.

Welp. Count me out.

[#1-norm-fan]

Related, I think I need to get a food truck license for CA, so I can set up a hot dog stand outside that arena. From what I see, I could make a killing just working a couple days a month.

It's an indy wrestling show. If they even draw 200, I'm pretty sure you could work one night and then close up shop and plan for your family's future.

[Swiss Ultimate]

Fatties!

[Malfeitor]

I live in Southern California and I’m bummed that it’s damn near impossible to get tickets to a PWG show.

[#1-norm-fan]

Is this the show Ron Jeremy was at? He would have definitely gotten a few hot dogs to eat while getting blown behind the building before, during and after the show.

[Mr. Nerfect]

When it got out Ron Jeremy was there, rats actually showed up.

[My Final Heaven]

LOL @ the Facebook header image, 2 ex-club members throwing it up is the 1st thing you see :lol:

https://image.ibb.co/jv0Pvm/Screenshot_2017_10_25_17_24_26.png

"Fuck off, you couple of vanilla midget midcarders! :D" That has to be a stab at them

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh dear <a href="https://twitter.com/BrockLesnar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BrockLesnar</a>. <a href="https://t.co/UYdeaJq150">pic.twitter.com/UYdeaJq150</a></p>&mdash; Allan (@allan_cheapshot) <a href="https://twitter.com/allan_cheapshot/status/921836077161287680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

I watched The Minnesota Stretching Crew vs. The Disciples of Synn from a SmackDown taping the other day. Solid fucking little match. Crowd was legitimately amazed by the finish.