Grumpy Cat Awarded $710K in Coffee Case

Don't believe the headlines that the Grumpy Cat won a lawsuit.

Sure, the "Grumpy Cat" is an internet sensation since her owner posted the pouty feline's pictures online years ago. And yes, her owner did win a $710,000 award against a father-and-son business that tried to capitalize on the cat's popularity.

But no, this is not like the selfie-monkey's copyright case. This licensing award goes to the cat's owner, Tabatha Bundesen, and Grumpy Cat Limited.

Grumppuccino?

A Santa Ana jury decided Paul Sandford and son Nick took the scowling cat's likeness and ran with it. They wanted to use it to market a "Grumpy Cat Grumppuccino."

But then they tried to use the cat's images for other products. Plaintiff's attorney David Jonelis said they didn't have permission to do that.

And then there was the talk about a movie that was supposed to star Will Ferrell and Jack Black. The Sandfords counter-claimed that Grumpy Cat Limited failed to participate in promotions.

"What, cat got your tongue?" the lawyer said. (Sorry, that lawyer was me, but I couldn't resist.)

Having Fun Yet?

The media couldn't get enough, spreading worldwide reports about the court decision. The Washington Post got more hits for its tale than the Pentagon Papers story.

"Grumpy Cat owner awarded over $700,000 in lawsuit," the Post website said. "Cat still won't smile."

Tardar Sauce, the cat's real name, can't help it either. Her permanent frown is due to a dwarfism condition.

It goes without saying the cat has no clue about all of this.

Related Resources:

• 'Selfie Monkey' Settles Copyright Case (FindLaw's U.S. Ninth Circuit Blog)
• Statewide Class of Janitors Certified in Wage Case (FindLaw's California Case Law)
• California Legal Research (FindLaw's Cases & Codes)