The Hershey Company Files Complaint Against Senator Hershey

The Hershey Company recently filed suit against Senator Steve Hershey from Maryland for trademark infringement. The senator uses campaign signs which seem to bear a very close resemblance to the famous candy bar of the same name. While the company stated that they do not mind the use of the name" HERSHEY" as tied to his political communications, the company does contend that his signs are an obvious attempt to try and build his campaign using their company's popularity. The Hershey Company also states that feel using their trademark for his campaign and fundraising efforts can give the impression that they are endorsing, authorizing, or sponsoring his campaign. The company issued a "cease and desist" letter and the senator stopped using the signs for a short time period. The senator states that the company is violating his freedom of speech and claims that he recently changed his signs to be less like the candy bar trademark.