Cheezborger Trademark Dispute. A Saturday Night Live skit from the late 1970's has formed the basis of a trademark lawsuit against Cheeburger Cheeburger Restaurants, Inc., a Florida restaurant chain. The Billy Goat, a bar and grill in Chicago, claims that that Saturday Night Live skit was based on its operation, stating in the complaint that "association of 'cheezborger, cheezborger' with the Billy Goat is basically a Chicago landmark." According to the complaint, Don Bonello, who played the character of "Father Guido Sarducci," wrote the skit with The Billy Goat in mind. Cheeburger claims that it owns two federally-registered trademarks of the name. The suit arose because Cheeburger was planning to develop a site in Chicago.
Posted by franchiselawblog at December 11, 2003 04:43 PM