Johnny Cupcakes - Johnny Cupcakes avatar

Manticores / help? Pastry creates 3 similar Johnny Cupcakes t-shirts. You be the judge...

posted over 1 year ago by Johnny Cupcakes

Randomly putting baked items on t-shirts and having an entire brand revolve around it is free for anyone to do. I don’t own food. However, I did indeed start this brand of mine 8 years ago, having it’s main focus be revolved around cupcakes and anything associated with it. In the independent t-shirt industry, I believe I was the first person to go all out with this cupcake / baking motif. I’ve made a tremendous amount of sacrifices and risks to make it the homegrown, family run, fun, limited business that it is, since I dropped out of high school and sold my t-shirts out of my rusty car. With my brands main focus on my customers and their experience, I think I’ve been doing a pretty swell job at it.

Last Spring I was alerted by a customer who happened to work at a popular mall sportswear store. This customer of mine caught a glimpse of his manager’s catalog which had various items that were being released in the near future at all of their mall locations. One of the items in this companies catalog was a "Make Pastry Not War" t-shirt. Not only was it a very similar slogan, but it had the same EXACT placement, font, EVEN A CUPCAKE in the center of the t-shirt. This was no coincidence. Weeks later my inbox was flooded with furious Johnny Cupcakes customers who saw this same catalog with the 'Pastry' design in it. I could of made a big deal about it online, making everyone else aware of it. Instead, I decided not to be a cry baby and post it all over the internet, so I sought out a different route. I decided to contact my trademark attorney, who then contacted the owners of Pastry / Pastry Kicks. We got in touch with the President of a certain mall chain-store who ended up declining the order of all 'Make Pastry Not War' t-shirts.

Recently I’ve received several e-mails from confused and upset customers of mine. Now, 2 other designs have appeared on their website. You be the judge...

The thing that baffles me, is why would two girls who’re famous via MTV, have to stoop so low to create such similar items, never mind brand? Maybe they’re both really great girls who happened to hire some not-so-great designers? I’m not sure what the case is, but I do know that this should be brought to everyone’s attention.

*I obviously know what the situation might be. Like I said, maybe they are great people who happened to hire a not-so-great designer. But I already legally fought one of the shirts that they came out with. So them coming out with 2 MORE similar shirts shortly afterward is way too suspicious. It would be nice if the designer of the t-shirts got called out/fired, and then an apology was sent to me.

70 Comments

  1. Colemadethis - Cole Blotcky avatar

    Colemadethis said over 1 year ago

    lemme call up the Rev.

  2. beth - Bethy avatar

    beth said over 1 year ago

    Who are the MTV girls? It better not be LC or Audrina...I freaking love them!

    Thats redic...ps

  3. Jamez - James Daniel avatar

    Jamez said over 1 year ago

    they probably have a unlimited budget and all the have is type tee’s, and yes i think the first one is definately a rip

  4. litoQ - Q avatar

    litoQ said over 1 year ago

    beth said: Who are the MTV girls? It better not be LC or Audrina...I freaking love them! Thats redic...ps

    They are Rev RUN’s daughters

    Thats craziness bro, any chance u can link the design? I cant find it on their site

  5. beth - Bethy avatar

    beth said over 1 year ago

    LitoQ said:
    beth said: Who are the MTV girls? It better not be LC or Audrina...I freaking love them! Thats redic...ps

    They are Rev RUN’s daughters... thats crazy bro, any chance u can link the design? I cant find it on their site

    GTFO! Those chicks annoy me. I moved to LA too...I dont have a freaking TV show about me being lame.

    I dont think I would notice the last two unless you showed it like you did with all of them together. seems shady.

  6. Johnny Cupcakes - Johnny Cupcakes avatar

    Johnny Cupcakes said over 1 year ago

    it should be on their site under tops, you just have to click 'view all'

  7. skull with hair - skull with hair avatar

    skull with hair said over 1 year ago

    this sucks, ill def spread the word.

    you should find out who made this one too, completely tasteless...

    Photobucket

  8. CallumGreen - CallumGreenWins avatar

    CallumGreen said over 1 year ago

    What the hell...
    Do they think you wont notice?
    What have you done man?

  9. collisiontheory - aj dimarucot avatar

    collisiontheory said over 1 year ago

    Unfortunately, the manticores have disbanded. I’d say the designs are definitely based on your brand. THe "make pastry not war" design is definitely a rip.

  10. {miles to go} - greg kerr avatar

    {miles to go} said over 1 year ago

    im sure those girls have no design input, just fund the money, but thats pretty fucked. i saw the war rip a long time ago, but three is kind of ridiculous. especially being such a high profile company to rip is beyond tasteless.

  11. speedyjvw - Joe VW avatar

    speedyjvw said over 1 year ago

    wow dude, that is really bad

  12. litoQ - Q avatar

    litoQ said over 1 year ago

    Johnny Cupcakes said: it should be on their site under tops, you just have to click 'view all'

    yeah man my bad, your images were blocked for me, just saw em on my phone...

    thats crap

  13. jared - Jared avatar

    jared said over 1 year ago

    @Johnny

    Do you have a trademark on "Freshly Baked" or "Support Your Local Bakery/Pastry Shop"?

  14. Joao - Joao avatar

    Joao said over 1 year ago

    http://www.pastrykicks.com/pastryclothes/fresh-baked-tee/
    http://www.pastrykicks.com/pastryclothes/pastry-shop-tee-black/

    I can’t understand how someone with a budget like that would have to rip-off someone.

  15. ChristianTW - Christian avatar

    ChristianTW said over 1 year ago

    skull with hair said: this sucks, ill def spread the word. you should find out who made this one too, completely tasteless... Photobucket

    do want.

  16. mbradyclark - M. Brady Clark avatar

    mbradyclark said over 1 year ago

    you can leave comments under the style....

  17. Tonteau - Tonteau avatar

    Tonteau said over 1 year ago

    Shit’s whack. Especially the first one.

  18. Oo Lori oO - Lori Kirk avatar

    Oo Lori oO said over 1 year ago

    these girls were handed a "brand" and even if they are awesome girls they are still responsible for double checking what they are releasing under the Pastry name. I guarantee they hired some freelance "artist" who just ripped a popular JC design. Although the other 2 are not exact rip offs, it is hard to overlook due to the previous infractions. With so much money you would THINK hiring creative people would not be an issue. tisk tisk

  19. bsig03 - Brian Peluso avatar

    bsig03 said over 1 year ago

    That’s crazy! Eveyone on here should take a minute to contact Pastry and let then know your thoughts on this obvious rip... Good luck Johnny!

  20. Benzoe88 - essco rico mann avatar

    Benzoe88 said over 1 year ago

    beth said:
    LitoQ said:
    beth said: Who are the MTV girls? It better not be LC or Audrina...I freaking love them! Thats redic...ps

    They are Rev RUN’s daughters... thats crazy bro, any chance u can link the design? I cant find it on their site

    GTFO! Those chicks annoy me. I moved to LA too...I dont have a freaking TV show about me being lame.

    I dont think I would notice the last two unless you showed it like you did with all of them together. seems shady.

    i hate them lame ass hills chicks, that show is so fucking fake and you probably didnt get a show cause your a nobody lol

    i think they’re both just really great girls who happened to hire some not-so-great designers!

  21. isaboa - Joe Carr avatar

    isaboa said over 1 year ago

    oh man

    cocksuckers

  22. curiouserandcuriouser - Brad Byram avatar

    curiouserandcuriouser said over 1 year ago

    i just did a drive-by using their comments feature.. looks like some other people have also

  23. CoreyMV - Corey avatar

    CoreyMV said over 1 year ago

    That’s so lame Johnny. You would think they might learn after the first incident.

  24. Acid - Matt avatar

    Acid said over 1 year ago

    Anyone else think pastry isnt the same thing as cake anyway? Or is that an english thing? Pastry is like, pies and sausage rolls...

  25. Chaddoesdesign - Chad Humphrey avatar

    Chaddoesdesign said over 1 year ago

    skull with hair said: this sucks, ill def spread the word. you should find out who made this one too, completely tasteless... Photobucket

    I still cant believe I haven’t seen these rolled out yet.lol

  26. darenisdopeee - daren avatar

    darenisdopeee said over 1 year ago

    Sorry Johnny, alot of bigger brands have been copying you. Ever get that thing settled with Billabong?

  27. Johnny Cupcakes - Johnny Cupcakes avatar

    Johnny Cupcakes said over 1 year ago

    bsig03 said: That’s crazy! Eveyone on here should take a minute to contact Pastry and let then know your thoughts on this obvious rip... Good luck Johnny!

    Thank you guys (and girls) - I really appreciate it.

    I guess their other contact number is;

    212-246-1900

    And it looks like these are actual e-mail address’s of people who represent Pastry;

    dennisd@vidagoup.com
    kimsnow@vidagroup.com
    kevinstorch@vidagroup.com
    davidm@vidagroup.com
    alharris@vidagroup.com

    and I’m not sure if these e-mail address’s even go to anyone, but it’s worth a shot;

    help@pastrykicks.com
    hr@adjmi-apparel.com

    Feel free to e-mail them your professional opinions, along with the 3 comparison images.

    Let me know if you hear anything back. And again, they might be great girls who just happened to hire some really awful, lazy designers who should be fired.

  28. isaboa - Joe Carr avatar

    isaboa said over 1 year ago

    pastry does not equal a sausage roll in my neck of the woods

  29. Benzoe88 - essco rico mann avatar

    Benzoe88 said over 1 year ago

    you should trademark all your stuff so you can sue there a$$ the next time they pull off a stunt like this lol

  30. Chaddoesdesign - Chad Humphrey avatar

    Chaddoesdesign said over 1 year ago

    benzoe88 said: you should trademark all your stuff so you can sue there a$$ the next time they pull off a stunt like this lol

    that would cost a lot of dough(lol)

  31. Birdie31 - Seth avatar

    Birdie31 said over 1 year ago

    When you comment on their site it says "pastry shoes fan ______ _______"...
    haha

  32. loren - Loren avatar

    loren said over 1 year ago

    Well, I’m sure the "Daddy’s Girls" have absolutely no idea that the designs were stolen because they probably have nothing to do with design process whatsoever, and the scummy designers.. you know they made a pretty penny of this one, so they don’t even care.

    I just can’t believe how close the first one is... Like seriously, who in their right mind would go and do something like that, and not even change the font or anything? That’s just messed up.

    GOOD LUCK JOHNNY!

  33. loren - Loren avatar

    loren said over 1 year ago

    By the way, your shirts are obviously by far superior to the pastry ones, so I hope this works out okay for you by bringing you lots of attention in the press/media and such. I’m sure everyone will realize that your designs are way cooler!

  34. chalk - Dean avatar

    chalk said over 1 year ago

    i know it’s all a bit upsetting for you but it is actually a huge compliment to your brand

    the sincerest form of flattery as they say...

    good luck - what pisses me off is that having a cupcake on a pastry shirt makes no sense - cupcakes aren’t pastry

  35. loren - Loren avatar

    loren said over 1 year ago

    The "hr@adjmi-apparel.com" email address rejected my e-mail. Has this happened for anybody else?

  36. greens - Greens Trading Co. avatar

    greens said over 1 year ago

    1 judging as how grenade had "make gloves not war" as their slogan since around 2000 think they beat out both of you tasty treats

    2 i will give you that as a rip

    3 lot of people do fresh baked sorry

    -smoke purps

  37. beth - Bethy avatar

    beth said over 1 year ago

    benzoe88 said:
    beth said:
    LitoQ said:
    beth said: Who are the MTV girls? It better not be LC or Audrina...I freaking love them! Thats redic...ps

    They are Rev RUN’s daughters... thats crazy bro, any chance u can link the design? I cant find it on their site

    GTFO! Those chicks annoy me. I moved to LA too...I dont have a freaking TV show about me being lame.

    I dont think I would notice the last two unless you showed it like you did with all of them together. seems shady.

    i hate them lame ass hills chicks, that show is so fucking fake and you probably didnt get a show cause your a nobody lol

    i think they’re both just really great girls who happened to hire some not-so-great designers!

    As the only female above the age of 20 on this site....

    Lauren and Audrina were nobodies too....LC got a show in High School with The OC was the show to watch and she was some kid who just gota show about high school.

    I highly doubt that the Runs DMC show is any more realistic than the hills! At Least the Hills isnt obnoxious. If I wanted to hear parents Nag I would move back home with my parents.

  38. Mess of Me - Alex Castillo avatar

    Mess of Me said over 1 year ago

    greens said: 1 judging as how grenade had "make gloves not war" as their slogan since around 2000 think they beat out both of you tasty treats 2 i will give you that as a rip 3 lot of people do fresh baked sorry -smoke purps

    True dat...I’ve seen a lot of fresh baked ones..

    but for sure the 1st one is full rip..and second...like almost full rip..:)

    I need to make a progress bar about this one day!

  39. Benzoe88 - essco rico mann avatar

    Benzoe88 said over 1 year ago

    beth said: As the only female above the age of 20 on this site.... Lauren and Audrina were nobodies too....LC got a show in High School with The OC was the show to watch and she was some kid who just gota show about high school. I highly doubt that the Runs DMC show is any more realistic than the hills! At Least the Hills isnt obnoxious. If I wanted to hear parents Nag I would move back home with my parents.

    im not trying to hijack this post but the hills is fake, when the camera is off and miss a argument or fight they have to re-act the shit in front of the camera. i know most of reality tv is fake but the hills is the extra fake runs house is as real as it gets.

  40. newy 51st state - Mike Nucero avatar

    newy 51st state said over 1 year ago

    I just feel like starting a brand with the name Pastry, is already stepping on toes . With the name Pastry branding is going more then likely going to be based around baked goods/dessert type stuff. And if there is someone out there (johnny cupcakes) already taking that route then should of gave their brand name a 2nd thought. I guess the girl’s didn’t do their research enough. So its bound to happen where they are going to bite shirt designs and concepts, deliberately or by chance, its the nature of the beast that could of been avoided if they did some research or took a different route.

  41. derekdeal - Derek Deal avatar

    derekdeal said over 1 year ago

    the grammar doesn’t even make sense!

  42. Backfire - Olly Martin avatar

    Backfire said over 1 year ago

    The thing is Johnny, they are copying your designs and making them look crap.

    The originals are miles better!!

  43. Johnny Cupcakes - Johnny Cupcakes avatar

    Johnny Cupcakes said over 1 year ago

    Thank you everyone. Let me know if you get any responses back. This blows..

  44. Quest - Julian Quest Cooper avatar

    Quest said over 1 year ago

    Wow, i hate to see this Johnny. The fact that people are attempting to bite off of your success and make knock offs that dont even do the brand justice is bad enough, but i imagine that the time and energy involved with trying to prevent this type of blatant image and idea stealing must be quite costly to you as a business man.

  45. skullface - Jessica avatar

    skullface said over 1 year ago

    derekdeal said: the grammar doesn’t even make sense!

    !

  46. EnveeApparel - Robert avatar

    EnveeApparel said over 1 year ago

    That is just crazy. They have a similar brand which is fine, but come out with your own original designs. Take $5000 from daddy and get some designers from emptee’s to make some amazing shirts LOL. There are some really great original designers out there that can knock some really detailed designs off.

  47. Johnny Cupcakes - Johnny Cupcakes avatar

    Johnny Cupcakes said over 1 year ago

  48. edword - ed pincombe avatar

    edword said over 1 year ago

    that’s some high profile rippin!!

  49. Benzoe88 - essco rico mann avatar

    Benzoe88 said over 1 year ago

    Johnny Cupcakes said:

    damn that was a fucked up move i lost a lot of respect for them

    i just emailed them and blasted them lol

  50. bandwagonmerch - Bandwagon Merch avatar

    bandwagonmerch said over 1 year ago

    THIS SUUUCKS. The similarity in the first shirts is so close I can’t even believe. I’m sorry Johnny. BUMMER. I wonder who prints pastry. I wonder if they know of JC.

  51. derek - lizzy avatar

    derek said over 1 year ago

    isaboa said: pastry does not equal a sausage roll in my neck of the woods

    Well i would say it was a savoury pastry along with a pasty :)
    But hey i’m British .

    Maybe they should have shirts on with Don’t Be Nasty Have A Pasty

    On a more serious note some dicks broke into my storage place an pinched some of my stock so i can only imagine how it must feel to have your designs stolen...

  52. edword - ed pincombe avatar

    edword said over 1 year ago

    bandwagonmerch said: THIS SUUUCKS. The similarity in the first shirts is so close I can’t even believe. I’m sorry Johnny. BUMMER. I wonder who prints pastry. I wonder if they know of JC.

    So I just read on a blog that you were taking legal act on the firsts one. Is that true?

  53. Suck! Clothing - Harry avatar

    Suck! Clothing said over 1 year ago

    I have written now to pastry! Thats really crazy!
    but...copiright has a function? -.-

  54. loren - Loren avatar

    loren said over 1 year ago

    Johnny Cupcakes said:

    Well now that’s just straight wrong. I’d have more respect for them if it was just a designer that works for them that stole your designs, but seeing the design themselves and creating or having something created based off of it? Thats messed up!

  55. WhoreCore - Whorecore avatar

    WhoreCore said over 1 year ago

    I made the same mistake once, but 3 times in a row, wow he doesn’t get the picture

  56. Coty - Coty avatar

    Coty said over 1 year ago

    That is such a shame. Helping to spread, posted on my blog and on Twitter:

    http://www.cotygonzales.com/2009/01/15/pastry-tries-to-imitate-johnny-cupcakes/

  57. quakerninja - Newman avatar

    quakerninja said over 1 year ago

    One year ago / In 2008, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court ironically for plagiarism. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security starbucks to the interwebbernets underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as designers of fortunes.

    If you have a grievance, if no one else cares, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire...

    The Westside Mordore Manticores.

    Hop in The Van

  58. N.Guenzler - Nick Guenzler avatar

    N.Guenzler said over 1 year ago

    I sent them a nasty email haha hopefully that helps. Theyre just a couple rich girls trying to be richer, I’m sure they know what JohnnyCupcakes is.

  59. Time Without the E - Tim Hyde avatar

    Time Without the E said over 1 year ago

    Here is my 2 cents before everyone starts to rip the owners...

    1. the owners are not always involved in every detail including the designs parts. As weird as it may sound they really might not know there ripping someone.
    2. lets face it everyone on Emptees knows who JC is but JC is still an indie brand and if you went around asking who Johnny Cupcakes is 95% of the people you would ask wouldn’t know.
    3. Also I hope you handle this well because we tend to forget because we love you so much but you were in the same shoes as these chicks a little bit ago when you were accused of ripping someone and remember how it made you feel. So do take that into consideration with how you handle this situation. Unfortunately, I don’t think this time around it is going to be as smooth as the other incident because the group your working with is a little more "hollywood"

    Also I know you are probably pissed/ angry/ wondering why the hell someone would do this to the company that is your life? Well there is one way to look at it right now that at least might help you for now to "cool off" is that no one rips a shitty company. So be honored that someone would go out of there way THREE times to rip you cause they clearly envy you and your work! So keep your head up! JC is and always will be better then mtv pastry shit.

  60. quakerninja - Newman avatar

    quakerninja said over 1 year ago

    Something more practical, have you tried contacting MTV News with this. Yes it s mud and gossip, but handling this like a gentleman out where everyone can see, would do great things as far as promotion and what have you. Personal feeling aside. This could be the underdog story of the year. GO Johnny.

  61. Benzoe88 - essco rico mann avatar

    Benzoe88 said over 1 year ago

    extra extra read all about it JC and pastries is going to war lol

  62. redemptionclothing - Matt avatar

    redemptionclothing said over 1 year ago

    sue them??????and when you win, ill take free JC clothes for life? Seriously lame of them, their show on MTV sucks too!

  63. Time Without the E - Tim Hyde avatar

    Time Without the E said over 1 year ago

    redemptionclothing said: sue them??????and when you win, ill take free JC clothes for life? Seriously lame of them, their show on MTV sucks too!

    no offense but JC is not going to sue them. Nor should he. It would cost A LOT of money with lawyer and court fees over 3 tees?
    that would be a pretty big risk.

  64. jumpy - Mathew avatar

    jumpy said over 1 year ago

    who needs lawyers when u can have manticores

  65. Oo Lori oO - Lori Kirk avatar

    Oo Lori oO said over 1 year ago

    As the only female above the age of 20 on this site....

    Not true! I’m 23

  66. edword - ed pincombe avatar

    edword said over 1 year ago

    Time Without the E said:
    redemptionclothing said: sue them??????and when you win, ill take free JC clothes for life? Seriously lame of them, their show on MTV sucks too!

    no offense but JC is not going to sue them. Nor should he. It would cost A LOT of money with lawyer and court fees over 3 tees?
    that would be a pretty big risk.

    that’s why I was asking.

  67. Johnny Cupcakes - Johnny Cupcakes avatar

    Johnny Cupcakes said over 1 year ago

    Time Without the E said: Here is my 2 cents before everyone starts to rip the owners... 1. the owners are not always involved in every detail including the designs parts. As weird as it may sound they really might not know there ripping someone. 2. lets face it everyone on Emptees knows who JC is but JC is still an indie brand and if you went around asking who Johnny Cupcakes is 95% of the people you would ask wouldn’t know. 3. Also I hope you handle this well because we tend to forget because we love you so much but you were in the same shoes as these chicks a little bit ago when you were accused of ripping someone and remember how it made you feel. So do take that into consideration with how you handle this situation. Unfortunately, I don’t think this time around it is going to be as smooth as the other incident because the group your working with is a little more "hollywood" Also I know you are probably pissed/ angry/ wondering why the hell someone would do this to the company that is your life? Well there is one way to look at it right now that at least might help you for now to "cool off" is that no one rips a shitty company. So be honored that someone would go out of there way THREE times to rip you cause they clearly envy you and your work! So keep your head up! JC is and always will be better then mtv pastry shit.

    1.) That is true. That’s why I said, "they might be great people/great girls who just happened to hire a not-so-great designer. The only thing that makes me upset is the fact that we already legally battled the Make Pastry Not War design, so they are well aware of my brand. Those other two similar shirts were slaps in the face.

    2.)Yep.

    3.) I know, and I didn’t design that t-shirt that had similar + exact letter stylings of another. That’s why I had some sort of sympathy for Pastry when I first went after them for the Make Pastry Not War shirt. I did this without telling anyone. Without posting about it anywhere. It was a hard thing to keep my mouth shut about. But I did. I did until I recently caught wind of these t-shirts that are already in stores. Like I said in 1.) - it feels like a slap in the face.

    I’m not looking for much, just for people to be aware. I wouldn’t of said anything if I didn’t get hundreds of e-mails and questions from confused Johnny Cupcakes customers who think I collaborated with Pastry, and who think that I sold out to mall-stores across the nation (which totally tarnishes my brand because this entire foundation and brand that I’ve built is based off exclusivity.)

    It’s hard to be honored that someone is ripping me off several times and getting away with it.

  68. Johnny Cupcakes - Johnny Cupcakes avatar

    Johnny Cupcakes said over 1 year ago

    quakerninja said: Something more practical, have you tried contacting MTV News with this. Yes it s mud and gossip, but handling this like a gentleman out where everyone can see, would do great things as far as promotion and what have you. Personal feeling aside. This could be the underdog story of the year. GO Johnny.

    Nah. I’m more concerned with just letting my customers know about it. I don’t want them being tricked into buying the similar t-shirts or being upset at my brand for seeing / thinking they’re seeing, Johnny Cupcakes t-shirt in malls across the nation.

  69. Johnny Cupcakes - Johnny Cupcakes avatar

    Johnny Cupcakes said over 1 year ago

    redemptionclothing said: sue them??????and when you win, ill take free JC clothes for life? Seriously lame of them, their show on MTV sucks too!

    I’m not sure what I’m going to do or what I want to do? Honestly, like I had mentioned, I just want my customers to be aware so they’re not so confused and didn’t think I sold out to mall-stores. An apology from Pastry might be nice. The t-shirts are already being sold and the damage is being, and has been done, to my brand already. It would also be nice to know that the designer of the t-shirts is called out and fired. If for the slightest reason Pastry doesn’t know about me (which I highly doubt) - I sorta feel bad that their brand (even though it’s super similar to mine) is getting a bad rep because of their half ass designer(s).

  70. dobi - Rob Dobi avatar

    dobi said over 1 year ago

    fuck mtv news! contact perezhilton!

  71. Comments are closed