The Make Chai Not War(TM) Drama

by HijabMan :: posted 16 October 05

UPDATE: I am now the owner of the Make Chai Not War trademark.

First, I’d like to let you all know that I appreciate your business, your support, and the loyal following that my shirts have received. And, I honestly don’t know how to repay you besides doing what I do better each day. And don’t worry, that ain’t gonna stop. In fact, it is about to get bigger. A lot bigger. So thank you.

Many of the shirt slogans I came up with myself. With others I had some help from friends who were willing to donate their amazing ideas to the cause of what I like to call Culture Jamming, Muslim Style. Regardless of whether I came up with them or not, I have a set of rules that I follow before I begin to sell anything. It’s what I like to call being responsible. First, I do a trademark search at the USPTO web site. I also do a google search to make sure no one has even claimed a trademark.

Over two years ago, I began to sell “Make Chai Not War” Shirts. I immediately placed the TM next to the slogan, as any responsible businessman will do in order not to get sued for monetary damages, if someone else was to register it first.

I didn’t register it, however, because I didn’t have the money. In addition, a few people from an unnamed organization came up to me and harassed me and my customers while at conferences. For two years, however, there was no one using the Make Chai Not War slogan in commerce except for myself. And still, no one claims the trademark besides myself.

When other people began to sell it, however, I was understandably a bit peeved. I was also interested in saving my bum from legal hassles, so I spent the 325 dollars and applied for a registered trademark, so that the TM that I had been putting next to it for so long could become a nice big R. It would protect me as the legal owner of the mark.

Long story short (I hope this is short), the Make Chai Not War™ Slogan was taken and sold at ISNA by two other groups. In addition, a blog appeared with the same title.

I’ll tell you this. I don’t like angry confrontation. I like peace, and I think we are intended to have peaceful relationships with people.
I first approached Baraka, the owner of the Make Chai Not War blog, and notified her of my impending trademark She graciously apologized and negotiated with me. We came to a deal. As long as she was to use the Make Chai Not War slogan, she would put a small advertisement to my on-line store. Problem solved. Don’t you love when that happens?

Next, was MuslimTees.com. I approached the guys at their booth while just a bit angry. I am quite ashamed to say that, but it’s the truth. As someone who pulls four 20 hour days in a row at ISNA with a balloon hat on, trying your best to make a living (and a difference), boy I tell ya, that adrenaline pumps through me like I never thought possible. Again, like Baraka, they humbled me and approached me with peace. They weren’t aware of my trademark claim and immediately offered to take it off the table. Somehow we decided that that wouldn’t be the best of decisions. They asked me if I would take a percentage of the profit in order for me to be okay with them selling it. They asked me what I would want. I named 25% of the profit, and they said that 25% was more than fair. I was happy, they were happy, and we resolved to plug each other regularly. And let me just say, those three guys are a pleasure to work with. They took a potentially negative situation, and we created something positive. That is what I like to see. Those are the kinds of Muslims I like to be around. And you know what, it really isn’t about the money.

Are you serious HijabMan? Of course it’s about the money!

What if I told you that with the check that they are going to give me I will be buying a Muhammad Asad 6 volume paperback Qur’an and sending it to someone who doesn’t have 60 bucks to spend on one. There. It ain’t about the money. Believe me now?

The other group (unnamed) sold Make Chai Not War™ shirts in full knowledge of my trademark claims and without my permission, they are also the group associated with the people who have been harassing me. Though, alhamdulillah the harassment has stopped. I have set up a meeting with the head of the group to negotiate, but they know my plan is the same as Muslimtees. A token amount to buy Muhammad Asad Qur’ans for people who don’t have the means.

In conclusion, please support Muslim Artists with a message who are also trying to make a living. Please go on over to Muslimtees.com if you are interested in a more stylized version of the Make Chai Not War™ Shirt. I must say, it’s quite nice looking. Also, you should probably send Taqee, Rommy, and Abdulaziz a heartfelt e-mail, and thank them on my behalf for being some of the most humble, level headed group of Muslim guys I’ve met in a while. Ladies. I think they are single. And you know I have high standards :)

NH at 18 October 06 :: #

yes!! make chai not war! (but only when you’re advertising the lovely hijabman!)
H.A. at 18 October 06 :: #

I emailed em :) Inshallah there will be many more successful deals to come in the future.
deeba at 18 October 06 :: #

was it a certain magazine group? i thought they were working with you…. iA it works out for you.
Farah at 19 October 06 :: #

Whats up with all these single men?? Someone needs to hook a sista up LOL
sameena at 19 October 06 :: #

salam – old school muslim got their shirts ripped off at ISNA too many times to count. It’s muslim culture, unfortunately… glad you came to a peaceful resolution. I really like the new website, BTW!
deb at 20 October 06 :: #

Being new to Islam, I’m not familiar with this Quran—can you hip me up briefly? I have the free one I got online, Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall, which has some confusing notations at the beginning of each Surah. I have only read it through once, so far, so it will do me fine for now, but I figure that this is like reading the Bible or any other translated work, and some versions will be more correct than others. Is that the deal? Please let me know.
Anon at 21 October 06 :: #

I wonder if the testimonies about these single guys are paid. LOL. j/p
baji at 24 October 06 :: #

haw hai?! (interro haw hai!) what happened to my comment? i give you all sorts of free legal advice and you don’t even accept my spam? hmph! eid mubarak!
Brittany at 25 October 06 :: #

:) Much love, Hijabo. Keep fightin the good fight.
Aisha at 26 October 06 :: #

Wow. I have a supplement from my Trademark law class if you want it I can send it to you media mail. Ppl who used it before you will still have the right to use it w/in their regions but will be enjoined from expanding the areas they sell once the TM is approved. But I’m sure you already knew that :)
muslimah at 30 October 06 :: #

salaams hm. thanks for the story. that’s a great slogan mA; how did you come up with this one?

Welcome! This site serves two main purposes: to entertain and educate the Believing and curious community, and to generate a bit of cash—God willing. But there’s a lot more about HijabMan.

The Make Chai Not War(TM) Drama

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