FIFA demands Toronto cannabis shop stop selling World Cup bong replicas
A Toronto dispensary received a cease-and-desist letter over golden bongs resembling the World Cup trophy.
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A law firm representing FIFA sent a cease-and-desist letter to Cosmic Charlies, a Toronto cannabis shop, demanding the store stop selling golden bongs that resemble the World Cup trophy, citing copyright infringement.
Cosmic Charlies co-owner Sean Kady said the firm is also requesting receipts, marketing materials, and details on sales volume and profits for the $50 bongs.
Kady said he sold just one unit to a customer who paid in cash and didn't plan to smoke with it. According to Kady, the buyer wanted the bong as a time capsule. Kady plans to comply with FIFA's request and says he will frame the cease-and-desist letter as a memory.
The incident highlights the trademark protections FIFA enforces around its global brand, even in niche markets.