The Sun-Times reports today that the Chicago Cubs are suing five people who have allegedly been posing as a Cubs mascot near Wrigley Field, engaging in "mascot-like activities" and trying to charge people for photos.
They take turns doing this—I didn't mean to suggest they each occupied one part of an enormous mascot costume, although that would have been pretty cool.
In addition to the unauthorized "mascot-like activities," the suit alleges, those posing as "Billy Cub" have also embarrassed the team by making "rude, profane and derogatory remarks and gesticulations to patrons, ticket holders, fans or other individuals located in the area of Wrigley Field." The Cubs' official mascot, "Clark the Cub," allegedly refrains from such remarks and gesticulations while on duty.
"Billy Cub" has been around for a while, but the beginning of the end appears to have been a YouTube video of Billy Cub getting involved in a bar fight. I guess it's understandable that you might get irked with someone for pulling your head off, but Billy was still wearing his Cubs jersey when he punched the bar patron who perhaps unwisely taunted him on April 5.
The lawsuit alleges that the bear's actions created confusion and harmed the team's reputation because of the bear's unauthorized use of the Cubs trademark. It charges the defendants with trademark infringement, deceptive trade practices, and five other things, and demands that Billy Cub and any related merchandise be "delivered for destruction."
As I think we all would agree, a much better way to resolve this dispute would be trial by combat. Two bears enter, one bear leaves.