You Don't Know Quack?

Chicago-based Jellyvision Games LLC has decided to sue AFLAC's insurance selling duck for trademark infringement. Jellyvision is the maker of the trivia game "You Don't Know Jack" that was first released back in 1995. The game was followed up by a short-lived television trivia game show in 2001.

According to the lawsuit. “AFLAC’s use of the slogan is unauthorized by Jellyvision and it represents an effort to trade on the valuable goodwill and reputation associated with Jellyvision and its "You Don’t Know Jack mark”.

Jellyvision wants AFLAC to quit using the slogan and is seeking financial compensation. Jellyvision lawyer Kurt J. Hirsch said that attorneys representing Jellyvision and AFLAC are “attempting to reach an amicable solution.”

It seems like Jellyvision doesn't like AFLAC's use of the words "You don't know" and they especially don't like the fact that Jack and Quack sound so similar. I have to shake my head at this and you can read my commentary in the following paragraphs.

Jellyvision Games suddenly took offense when AFLAC launched its “You Don’t Know Quack” advertising campaign claiming there could be confusion between the two slogans. Give me a break!

To be completely honest, the AFLAC slogan "You don't know Quack" in no way makes me think about some obscure trivia game that came out 15 years ago. In fact the last time I saw this game was several years ago in the bargain bin at a dollar store. "You Don't Know Jack" wasn't exactly a Game of the Year winner. Other then the short run TV show (which I don't even remember) I would have to say the game was a dud and it still is 15 years later.

In a society that is litigation happy these lawsuits are becoming quite tiresome. I am sick of this stuff and I hope the judge throws it out. The claim of trademark infringement is baseless and it's foolish. A game that was introduced 15 years ago to ho-hum reviews or no reviews at all isn't worth the time and expense this case will require.

I admit I didn't attempt to do much research in to what Jellyvision Games LLC has accomplished in the years since the 1995 release of the game. So find me guilty of not wanting to bother with something that is simply dumb. However the company claims "You don't know Jack" is “an instant best-seller” that “redefined the trivia game market for adults with its direct-response interactivity and snarky fusion of high culture and pop culture.” Huh? Snarky fusion?

Jellyvision goes on to say "the game currently exists on 10 CD-ROMS, two PlayStation titles, a tabletop version, two books, a daily online game and numerous foreign language versions". That's all from their web site.

An instant best seller? By who's estimation? Certainly not mine or any other game reviewer because to be honest I have never heard of Jellyvision Games, although I have heard of the game. While writing this commentary every time I needed to write Jellyvision I had the urge to type Jellyfish. Then when I ran my spell checker the checker wanted me to change the word Aflac to AFLAC (which I did). That's further proof of how obscure Jellyvision games are and how well known AFLAC is.

All of this foolishness is based on a 15-year-old title. It's absurd, so this is what I propose. Jellyvision Games should change their name from Jellyvision Games to Jellyfish Games. This will give them better name recognition, plus it's easier to say and remember. (Also, my spell checker won't come up with dozens of errors). Then they need to find something new to work on because relying on something that is 15 years old in a world where new sells isn't going to fill the coffers with gold. Develop a fishing game or some other action packed adventure game. It will sell much better. Last but not least. Stop relying on frivolous lawsuits for income and come up with some new ideas and products.

If you would like to check out the "You don't know Quack" advertisement you can go here. It doesn't remind me of an old trivia game. Cheers.