Hall & Oates sue makers of Haulin' Oats granola

Where once they offered the world an Abandoned Luncheonette, Hall & Oates are now trying to close down the breakfast bar, too. The pop-soul duo are suing the Brooklyn-based “artisanal granola” company Early Bird – maker of “wholesome and nourishing small batch granola” – over its Haulin’ Oats range.

Rather than being flattered by the promise of rolled oats and maple syrup mix that, Early Bird insists, is “perfect by itself or as the base for a breakfast parfait creation”, Daryl Hall and John Oates claim “the name and mark Haulin’ Oats is an obvious play upon Plaintiff’s well-known Hall & Oates mark, and was selected by defendant in an effort to trade off of the fame and notoriety associated with the artist’s and plaintiff’s well-known marks.”

The pair have brought the case in the Brooklyn federal court, where they claim the food company have infringed their trademark with a “phonetic play on Daryl Hall and John Oates’ well-known brand name”.

Haulin’ Oats sells for $27 for three packets, which compares unfavourably with the price of a box of Shreddies. Especially if you buy supermarket own-brand stuff.

As a result of the case, Guardian music has scrapped its own plans to launch a range of breakfast foods, including Kornflakes and Wheatusabix.