Subway Sues Quiznos Over Ad Contest

Sandwich-maker offered $10K to fan that best mocked competitor
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 29, 2008 7:30 PM CST

Subway is suing Quiznos after the sub-maker invited fans to drum up ads for an online contest, the New York Times reports. Two years ago, Quiznos offered $10,000 to the fan whose ad best compared Quiznos subs to Subway's "with Quiznos being superior." Subway fumed after seeing its sandwiches kicked, mocked, and destroyed on a website that has since been taken down.

Quiznos denies blame for the plugs: “We’re just facilitating consumers who go out and create their own expression,” said a company attorney. But a legal expert notes that Quiznos "provoked" the ads and made consumers "their agents." At issue is who takes the rap for user-generated content in such contests, which other companies have already run. The competitions may be torpedoed if a Connecticut court sides with Subway next year. (More Subway stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X