[Press Release] Coming Soon: Court Ruling in “Power Hour” Trademark Dispute

Verdict Pending in Beer-Fueled Legal Battle of the Century

Two years after Ali Spagnola took on the college crusade to “save power hour”, she and Steven Roose are still duking it out. (W2G legal system.) Testimony has been filed and now the trademark court is preparing to rule in the most ludicrous legal dispute this side of sane. What? The time honored tradition of “power hour” as we know it is at stake. This case is essentially like a company trademarking the term “poker” and bullying anyone that tries to play the game.

As the power hour trademark continues to shock and appall, beer drinkers, partygoers, music lovers and havers-of-fun are throwing their support behind Ali Spagnola nationwide. It may not bring the court case to a close, but signing this online petition to “Save Power Hour” just feels right.

Some big old internet bully made products based on the well-known “power hour” drinking game, and in April 2009, he trademarked the term, greedily hoarding it for himself and bullying anyone who dare use it. He sent cease & desist letters to shut down websites, removed YouTube videos, and fully leveraged his trademark privileges for preventing unauthorized use. Basically, Steve Roose was trying to stop everyone but himself from making or sharing power hours. He went too far. Enter Ali Spagnola…

>> Further listening: Ali sounds off on the trademark (and her Shot Glass USB)

This brave crusader has done way more than her part to save power hour. For two years, Ali Spagnola has honorably (often drunkenly) fought a legal battle against this fearful adversary of collegiate fun and freedom. Thousands of dollars later, the war rages on. Ali is merely one musician – singing (and drinking) her heart out – fighting for a cause that affects us all.

“The whole legal dispute has been a really big bummer but I have to look at the positive,” said Ali Spagnola, artist and songwriter of The Power Hour Album. “I’ve gotten a lot of amazing support from fans online and this battle even inspired me to create new power hour products and play more live shows.”

Buying one of Ali’s awesome Power Hour Albums is another honorable way to show your support and help keep the term free from trademark. Ali’s album is available on iTunes, CD and a Shot Glass USB (complete with lanyard and proven many times over to be the best power hour experience on the market). Start a drinking revolution today:

• Shot Glass USB for $29.99: Enjoy all 60 one-minute songs, plus an additional 30-second bonus track, the digital booklet with the album art and lyrics, a menu that explains the game and a super sweet poster.
• iTunes for $11.99: Enjoy all 60 one-minute songs plus the digital booklet with the album art and lyrics.
• The Power Hour Album CD for $16.99: Enjoy all 60 one-minute songs.

Trademarked products and services originate from one unique source, distinguished from other entities. Power hour is NOT a product or service and it is most certainly not unique to one source. Power hour is a state of mind (or lack there of).