FIFA demands – A Toronto cannabis shop, Cosmic Charlies, received a letter from a law firm representing FIFA demanding it stop selling bongs shaped like the World Cup trophy, with the organizer alleging copyright infringement and laying out eight immediate demands including
For Sean Kady, it started with a product listing that was meant to be playful. Now it has turned into a legal fight he says he “poked” at—one FIFA has answered with a letter and a firm set of demands.
Cosmic Charlies, a Toronto cannabis shop, was selling bongs that resemble the World Cup trophy. The tournament’s organizer stepped in and gave the shop what Kady described as a red card from FIFA’s side.
Kady, the co-owner of Cosmic Charlies, said a law firm representing FIFA sent a letter on Friday to both of his stores. The message demanded the shop stop selling the golden bongs because they infringe on FIFA’s copyright.
In the letter he received, the law firm outlined eight immediate demands. Among them is a requirement to turn over receipts. marketing materials and information on how many of the $50 bongs Cosmic Charlies sold. The demands also include where the store procured the products from, along with what its profits were.
Kady said he only ever had two of the bongs, and that one of them was never sold. The lone bong that was purchased was bought by a customer who paid in cash and wanted it as a time capsule—something he planned to keep along with a copy of media coverage about Cosmic Charlies stocking the product.
“He didn’t even consume cannabis,” Kady said. “I guess maybe he had a suspicion they’d be hard to get your hands on soon.”
Kady said he will comply with FIFA’s request. “We’ll get this all sorted out. I’m not too worried,” he said.
He also admitted the outcome wasn’t a surprise. When he put the bong on sale, Kady suspected FIFA lawyers might eventually come for him, pointing to how soccer’s governing body protects its trademarks whenever businesses make references to the tournament.
Ahead of the World Cup’s kick off this past Thursday, Kady told The Canadian Press that he hoped FIFA would send him a cease-and-desist order. “I would frame it. I think it’d be really funny, but we’ll see.”
After receiving the letter, he said he plans to follow through on that idea.
“I am going to frame it. One hundred per cent,” he said. “I’m just deciding which part. It’s quite long, to be honest.”
FIFA World Cup trophy Cosmic Charlies Toronto cannabis shop bongs copyright infringement Sean Kady legal letter trademark
so FIFA can copyright a bong shape now? wild
Wait I thought it was just like a novelty thing. Eight demands and receipts?? That seems a lot over a little trophy bong. Also why do they care if someone “frames” it lol
FIFA really out here doing trademark policing like cops. If it’s “copyright infringement” then how is any soccer merch not illegal either? I’m not saying they’re wrong but turning over profits and where they got it sounds like they’re trying to bust the whole store. Sean Kady said two bongs only but somehow that’s still enough…
I mean, it’s a bong shaped like the trophy, that’s the whole point of the gag. FIFA is already rich, let the guy sell it. Also “World Cup trophy bongs” sounds like it would be hard to even make, so I don’t get why FIFA lawyers would waste time on it unless someone complained. turning over receipts marketing materials sounds like they want to know who bought it and then… idk… stop the customer too? seems excessive.