GRUMPY CAT WINS COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT CASE

Grumpy Cat – the internet meme – was awarded $710,001 in damages on Monday when a California jury decided that the beverage company Grenade was guilty of infringing on its copyright and trademark. Grumpy Cat Limited, formed by Tabatha Bundesen to monetize the viral fame of her sour-faced cat (real name, Tardar Sauce), sued Grenade in 2015, claiming the company used the cat’s image on several of its products, despite only having the rights to sell a line of iced coffees called “Grumpy Cat Grumppuccino.” The Grumpy Cat image also appeared on Grenade’s roasted coffee line and t-shirts, neither of which were part of the original deal. A jury decided in favor of Grumpy Cat. Grumpy Cat’s lawyer, David Jonelis, called the ruling and important precedent: “It’s the first verdict ever rendered in favor of a viral meme. Memes have rights too.”
* Meme Lives Matter?
* Said Grumpy Cat after the verdict was announced: “I’m going to kill you in your sleep.”
* $710,001. That buys a lot of Meow Mix.
* Grenade’s plan blew up in their face.
* Guess what the mood of the losing lawyers was? Come on, guess!