Industrial tool, feminine product and preschool toy manufacturing giant, Matasui Corporation, has filed a trademark infringement suit in U.S. federal court against the Conan O'Brien Show, for usurping the moniker "Tokyo Sandblaster" in their regular comedy routines.
Spokesman for Matasui Corporation, Hyung Wei Lo, tells reporters that the company's product sales and overall reputation were damaged as a result of the "unlawful and discrediting use of a popular Japanese brand". Reportedly their flagship commercial surface cleaning tool, Wei-Lo claims the Tokyo Sandblaster is widely sold throughout the Asia-Pacific region in numerous countries and also in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Nothing blows corrosion and dirt from a surface like our Tokyo Sandblaster", claims Wei-Lo, "while the same machine can also accommodate softer and gentler methods of pipe and surface cleaning and waxing".
In defense of the trademark reference here in America, Conan O'Brien assistant producer, Haywood Jaspankme tells reporters, "I think we are saying the same thing here about a great product. Nothing blows like a Tokyo Sandblaster. That's it really. No intent was made to steal the trademark, we just wanted to give the product its due".
A deal is expected to be pounded out in the next few days which will allow the Conan show to continue referencing the Tokyo Sandblaster, provided they include the Matasui corporate logo under the product name.
