Wiener v. Wiener: A Wiener Controversy Of A Different (Trade Secrets) Sort

There is wiener controversy brewing, but this one does not involve Twitter™ or a Representative from New York. Rather, this dust up concerns a Chicago hot dog dynasty and allegations of misappropriated trade secrets, false advertising, unfair competition, and trademark infringement.

On June 21, 2011, District Court Judge Sharon Coleman denied Vienna Beef LTD’s motion for a temporary restraining order which sought to enjoin competitor hot dog maker Red Hot Chicago , Inc. ("RHC") and its founder, Scott Ladany (collectively, "Defendants"), from engaging in various alleged conduct, including using Vienna Beef recipes or claiming that their recipes are century old, date back to 1893, or that they are Sam Ladany or Ladany family recipes. Vienna Beef claims, among other things, that its hot dog recipes are trade secrets and that RHC is using them without permission.

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