Read the Cease & Desist Sent By Iditarod (Dog Race) to Idiotarod (Shopping Cart Race)

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The Iditarod refers to a famous annual sled dog race in Alaska. The Idiotarod refers to any number of shopping cart races that happen around the country in which asphalt replaces snow and five idiot humans replace the dogs. Guess which group doesn't have a sense of humor?

Lawyers representing the Iditarod (the dog people) sent a cease & desist letter, forcing the New York Idiotarod to change its name to "Idiotarodorama NYC." Here's the central complaint:

Your use of"Idiotarod" is certainly likely to dilute ITC's famous mark by reducing its sole association with the Iditarod Sled Dog Race, and by causing the public to associate the mark with an event that celebrates wacky costumes and antics over one that honors the endurance and athleticism of champion sled dogs and the courage and skill of the men and women that run them.

The folks running the Idiotarod released a press release that says in part:

The Cease & Desist Demand threatens legal action against Idiotarod NYC for trademark infringement, even though no one in their right mind could possibly confuse the ramshackle, unsanctioned display of frivolity featuring racers with wacky costumes and ridiculously modified shopping carts running between bars in the outer boroughs of New York City with the well-known long-distance sled dog race between Anchorage and Nome. Plus the Idiotarod NYC race has been going on for 10 fucking years now, people.

The race is still happening tomorrow, albeit under the new name. You can get the details on the event's Facebook page if you want to go support these brave, embattled idiots.

You can read the full complaint below: