*Correction notice*
This post originally stated Jacks NYB was suing some St. Louis companies over the use of the phrase "Play Gloria." The language in the web story headline was incorrect, what we reported on air was as Missouri Lawyer's Weekly reported it as cease-and-desist letters were sent. The story posted by Missouri Lawyers Weekly was referencing events that took place weeks ago and was not a new issue. KMOX apologizes for the error.
Here is the report that aired on KMOX Friday morning:
The bar, called Jacks NYB, sent cease-and-desist letters to St. Louis t-shirt company Arch Apparel, the Blues and others who have been making money off the phrase, according to Missouri Lawyers Weekly.
Attorneys for Arch Apparel expressed that Arch Apparel and Jacks NYB have been in communication and are working toward a resolution of each’s own expression of "Play Gloria."
Jack NYB stated on Facebook they are "not suing any St. Louis companies and have NOT sued anyone ... WE HAVE NEVER THREATENED TO SUE THE ST. LOUIS BLUES EVER!!!"
Here's part of their statement on Facebook:
The phrase was started after the late singer Laura Branigan’s 1982 song "Gloria" which became the victory anthem for St. Louis after Blues players watched an NFL playoff game at Jack's NYB in January.
KMOX legal analyst Brad Young weighs in:
"Their argument is, is that because that phrase was first used in the bar then they have a right to use that, an exclusive right to use that phrase," Young says.
PLAY GLORIAAAAAAAAA!!! ⚜️-- #playgloria #archapparel #letsgoblues #stl #stlouis #stlouisgram
A post shared by A R C H A P P A R E L ™ (@archapparelstl) on Jun 15, 2019 at 12:27pm PDT
A post shared by A R C H A P P A R E L ™ (@archapparelstl) on May 24, 2019 at 8:35am PDT
Local Philly fans inside the bar constantly yelled "Play Gloria" at the bar's D.J., then Blues players began to say it their lockerroom after winning games. Now, the phrase can be found on t-shirts, banners and more Stanley Cup memorabilia.
Young doesn't buy it. For one thing he says, the timing works against them.
"Had they asserted that while the Blues were in the midsts of their run, that would have generated enormous bad will against that particular bar," Young says. "The problem is that by waiting to assert their alleged rights to this trade name/copyright, then at that point they're allowing their interest to be what's called, diluted."
Missouri Lawyers Weekly says Arch Apparel began production of its t-shirts again after getting some legal advise of its own.