Friday, January 29, 2010

Amid Super Bowl hoopla, fight over 'Who Dat'

Who owns "Who Dat?"

Some T-shirt makers are asking that question after they were hit with cease-and-desist letters from the NFL demanding that they stop selling shirts with the traditional cheer of New Orleans Saints fans. The National Football League says the shirts infringe on a legal trademark it owns. Separately, two brothers and longtime Saints fans claim they own the phrase, which was around before the long-downtrodden team's inception in 1966. The chant _ "Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints" _ is often shortened to "Who Dat" on shirts and signs and has been a mainstay at the Superdome since the 1980s. Saints fans, still jubilant after the Saints' win over the Minnesota Vikings for their first Super Bowl appearance, have voiced their dismay on radio talk shows, blogs and Web site posts. Many say it's something that simply can't be owned. "How can they put a trademark on something that's been around for 150 years?" said Robert Lauricella, a 50-year-old oil field sales representative. "Just because the Saints have made the Super Bowl, why does everybody have to make a buck?"



Shirts bearing the Saints cheer are big business as the team prepares for the big game against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on Feb. 7 in Miami. Lauren Thom, owner of the Fleurty Girl T-shirt shop in New Orleans, said Thursday that she recently received a letter from the NFL demanding that she quit selling "Who Dat" shirts. "I don't mind paying royalties," Thom said. "I just don't know who owns 'Who Dat' or whether it's in the public domain." The NFL doesn't cut much slack when it believes it owns a trademark. This case is no exception. In an e-mail, league spokesman Brian McCarthy said the NFL has sent a handful of letters in the past year asking vendors to stop selling "Who Dat" merchandise. The unlicensed shirts led fans to believe the Saints endorsed the product, he said. "This helps protect the local businesses that are selling legitimate Saints merchandise and also the local printers that are making the licensed Saints apparel," he said. Meanwhile, WhoDat Inc., controlled by longtime Saints fans and brothers Sal and Steve Monistere, also claims rights to the phrase. In 1983, Steve Monistere produced the song "Who Dat Say They Gonna Beat Dem Saints" with Aaron Neville and several Saints players.


In a statement Thursday, WhoDat Inc. said that before that recording, there were no branded items with the motto. The brothers said the company has the only federal trademark for "Who Dat." Steve Monistere said he and his brother were at the Saints' first game in 1967 and have been fans through all the ups and downs _ mostly downs, of course. Storyville shop co-owner Gabriel Harvey pulled his "Who Dat" shirts after getting letters from the NFL and WhoDat Inc. "It seems unclear who, if anyone, owns it," Harvey said. "A lot of people believe it belongs to the city and the people." Two members of Louisiana's congressional delegation _ Republican Sen. David Vitter and Democratic Congressman Charlie Melancon _ took public umbrage at the NFL.
Vitter wrote NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, urging the league to concede that "Who Dat" is in the public domain. Otherwise, Vitter said he will print and sell T-shirts with "WHO DAT say we can't print Who Dat!" on them. "Please either drop your present ridiculous position or sue me," Vitter wrote. Melancon provided a link _ headed "No One Owns WHO DAT" _ on his Twitter page to a petition encouraging the NFL to back off. The "Who Dat" chant's origins are somewhat murky. Some historians say it came about in the days of late 19th-century minstrel shows and later showed up in vaudeville routines. In 1937's "A Day at the Races," the Marx Brothers perform a number _ in blackface _ called "Who Dat Man." "Who Dat" also is used in a 1938 MGM cartoon _ now seldom seen because of its racially offensive nature _ called "Swing Wedding," which featured frog caricatures of black entertainers such as Ethel Waters, the Mills Brothers, Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway. It's been yelled at high school and college games, and fans of the Cincinnati Bengals are known to chant "Who Dey?" Glenn Lunney, a Tulane University Law School professor specializing in intellectual property, said a trademark is different from a copyright or patent and doesn't necessarily have to be original. For example, computer and iPod manufacturer Apple trademarked the familiar, centuries-old fruit, he said. "You can take a word and by applying it to goods or services get people to think about your goods or services," and get commercial rights, he said. The NFL would likely argue it has a valid trademark because "Who Dat" is so strongly associated with the Saints, he said. In a similar case, bookstores around the University of Wisconsin sold "Bucky Badger" T-shirts royalty-free for years _ until the university trademarked the mascot itself in the late 1980s and won its case in court, Lunney said. As for Thom, she said several New Orleans attorneys have offered free legal help. And how about the WhoDat Inc. guys? They "were nice" about the situation, Thom said _ "they said we should market the shirts together and make more money together."

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Miss Blogging!

The baby is asleep right now that's why I have the time to update my blog. It's been so busy here lately since we got home from the hospital. She is 10 days old today and she is doing pretty good. I am just so busy with my baby and with my husband as well. Have to keep my babies well taken care of. Whheewww!! I am not complaining though but instead enjoying every minute of it. I am still adjusting to my new routine..Lol..I will try my best to go back to blogging one of days. I have been idle for how many weeks now and especially the baby is here, my priorities are changed. Wheeww!! Don't get me wrong I miss blogging and I am so thankful for my friends who constantly visits my page. I truly appreciate it guys. I will pay for a visit to your respective pages as soon as I get the chance. Have a great day everyone!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Busy Parents

It has been so busy lately around the house. Since we got back from the hospital, the baby is the center of attention. She is doing pretty good. She eat well, sleep well and very healthy according to her pediatrician this morning. Our baby is so precious and we enjoy every second that we spend with her. My sleeping routine had totally changed. I am not complaining though because I love being a mom and spending every minute with my child is all worth it. I am so thankful with husband because he is so supportive and always there to help me. Yes he is still at home because he requested for another 2 weeks off from work. I just miss our time together though. One night I cried because I just miss the "alone" time we have. Well this must be the rules of becoming a parent/s and I know he understand. I just make it a point that we still have time for each other especially when the baby is asleep.

Addie Mae is 8 days old today and as I've mentioned above she had her doctors appointment today. Her doctor said that she's very healthy and doing great. She gained few ounces in weeks time which is great and we are happy about that. We enjoyed our baby's growth so much. She can now lift her head by her own at an early stage. Every time she throw a smile, it is very precious. We are so looking forward to our baby's growth everyday.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Our Precious Daughter

Introducing our lovely daughter ADELIE MAE ERRO-EATON. She was born January 17, 2010 at 6:29 in the evening at Wesley Medical Center Hattiesburg, Mississippi USA. She weighed 5 pounds and 11 ounces. She's 19.25 inches long. She's very healthy and very adorable. My husband and I are enjoying parenthood. She gives so much happiness to both of us and we love her very much.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Another Doctors Appointment

Had my doctors appointment today and everything went well. I gained another 2 pounds in just a week and now weighing 135 lbs. Oh my goodness and I have a feeling that my weight will increase more and more everyday..Lol! I haven't dilated yet but my doctor said that the baby had dropped more. Maybe I am one of those cases that will just pop anytime..LOL! Oh hopefully not. My contractions are still the same but that's just it, I am used to it since the day I started experiencing it. It is hard to determine if it's the real contraction labor or just the regular braxton hicks..hehehehe! Oh well, maybe I just have to wait. I will be having another appointment again on Thursday next week and hopefully there's some progress to that. I am just glad that my appointment went well and the baby is doing fine.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Exercising During Pregnancy

Since my D-Day is fast approaching, I become aware with the recommended pregnancy exercises. I think it's a bit late but oh well I can still do it anyway..Lol..Honestly, I am very lazy when it comes to do some exercise. I think the only exercise that I have during this pregnancy is going to the mailbox and get the mail..LOL! I know it is necessary for me and the baby but sometimes I just don't feel like doing it, especially with the weather now,Oh my! could hardly stand outside for a long time. My first trimister was very rough, my second trimister was okay and I am on my third trimister now which is a bit hard to move around. I won't promise though but I will get my butt to do some exercise til my D-day comes. I know my husband will laugh at me about this because his been telling me to at least move around which I did for quite sometimes..Lol..

I did some reading on the web and found some interesting topic about pregnancy exercises. I even play a video from youtube from a pregnant lady doing her routine exercise. That was amazing and it really helps a lot I guess. This is what I've found out on the article that I was reading a while ago.

Benefits of Exercising During Pregnancy

No doubt about it, exercise is a big plus for both you and your baby (if complications don't limit your ability to exercise throughout your pregnancy). It can help you:

  • feel better. At a time when you wonder if this strange body can possibly be yours, exercise can increase your sense of control and boost your energy level. Not only does it make you feel better by releasing endorphins (naturally occurring chemicals in your brain), appropriate exercise can:
    • relieve backaches and improve your posture by strengthening and toning muscles in your back, butt, and thighs
    • reduce constipation by accelerating movement in your intestine
    • prevent wear and tear on your joints (which become loosened during pregnancy due to normal hormonal changes) by activating the lubricating fluid in your joints
    • help you sleep better by relieving the stress and anxiety that might make you restless at night

  • look better. Exercise increases the blood flow to your skin, giving you a healthy glow.
  • prepare you and your body for birth. Strong muscles and a fit heart can greatly ease labor and delivery. Gaining control over your breathing can help you manage pain. And in the event of a lengthy labor, increased endurance can be a real help.
  • regain your pre-pregnancy body more quickly. You'll gain less fat weight during your pregnancy if you continue to exercise (assuming you exercised before becoming pregnant). But don't expect or try to lose weight by exercising while you're pregnant. For most women, the goal is to maintain their fitness level throughout pregnancy.
Upon reading this article, I was kinda guilty that I didn't do my part. With the stage that I'm at right now, it might be late for me to get started, but oh well, I can always try. But I am glad to find this kind of article that made me aware on the benefits of exercise.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Nothing Much To DO

For the past days, I wasn't feeling well at all. I always feel uncomfortable and don't feel like doing something around the house. Oh pregnancy! But I think my D-day is fast approaching though. My baby is very active inside my tummy. She always make it a point to let me know she's still there which is great. I am also looking forward on my upcoming appointment ( Wednesday ). I am excited to know if I dilated yet or not. I am also looking forward for my husband coming home this week. I have not heard from him yet since they went to Galveston, Texas but I know he will sms me whenever he gets the chance. I miss hubby so much and I can't wait to see him soon.

Today I am just watching my daily show on The Filipino Channel. I am glad that we finally got the package. My dad in law got one for me and it was really amazing how I could watch my favorite shows. It feels like I am still in the Philippines. It was an awesome package. I know my husband will like it too because it will also help him learn more tagalog lingo.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Freezing!!!!

Holly Molly! I am about to freeze my butt to death..Lol..I know most of you will think I am nuts by complaining to a 27 degrees weather but it feels like 19 degrees. I know this is nothing compared up north. But geez luis this is crazy. I don't even want to send out dog out to go potty because it is so cold outside. Could hardly take it..lol..Whhhewwww!!! and according to the forecast, it will be like this for the next few days..Ohhh Shoot!..I have a doctors appointment tomorrow and I can see how cold it is already the moment I step out of the house..Whhhewww!!!..