Mattel slaps political podcast 'Coffee with Ken' with bizarre lawsuit
The toy giant has lodged a complaint with the US Patent and Trademark Office over 'Coffee with Ken,' a YouTube show hosted by Ken Biberaj, a DC-based real estate executive and former chair of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
The bi-monthly podcast – which features guests like Sen. Joe Manchin, billionaire David Rubenstein, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and 'Hamilton' star Leslie Odom Jr. – was granted preliminary approval for a trademark in 2023.
Advertisement
6 Ken Biberaj launched his podcast 'Coffee with Ken' five years ago.
Youtube
'We strive to focus our topics at the intersection of the public, private and social impact sectors,' said Biberaj, noting that the show now boasts 20,000 viewers per episode and hosts live events that can draw upwards of 200 attendees.
'I don't think anyone expected a doll to interview a governor,' Biberaj told The Post.
Advertisement
Nevertheless, Mattel insists that 'Coffee with Ken' could create confusion about whether it's associated with Barbie's squeaky-clean, beach-loving boyfriend, according to court papers.
In particular, the El Segundo, Calif.-based company points to its Ken Barista doll — a hipster with a man bun and an apron who pulls perfect espresso shots — as proof of potential confusion.
6 The Ken Barista doll was discontinued.
Mattel/Walmart
6 Nevertheless, Mattel insists that 'Coffee with Ken' could create confusion about whether it's associated with Barbie's squeaky-clean, beach-loving boyfriend, according to court papers.
Advertisement
It's 'highly likely that a consumer will believe that [Coffee with Ken] could be the name of or related to a Ken line' of dolls, Mattel claimed in its filing.
The Ken Barista doll is listed as discontinued on the official Barbie site, although it is still available at Walmart.com.
Mattel — still riding high on the blockbuster 'Barbie' movie where Ryan Gosling played a singing, rollerblading version of its beloved Ken — filed its objection in May, insisting 'Coffee with Ken' would 'damage' the brand.
6 Biberaj ran for New York City Council in 2013 and his family owns the iconic Russian Tea Room in Midtown Manhattan.
Getty Images
Advertisement
Meanwhile Biberaj, who ran for New York City Council in 2013 and whose family owns the iconic Russian Tea Room in Midtown Manhattan, claims Barbie's big, deep-pocketed corporate parent is simply trying to push him around.
'My actual name is Ken,' Biberaj told The Post. 'Mattel shouldn't be able to block my trademark because of a doll.'
Legal experts say Mattel might be overreaching.
6 Ryan Gosling as Ken in the 2023 Barbie movie.
Jaap Buitendijk
'Mattel could have difficulty sustaining its opposition,' said trademark attorney Brad Rose of Pryor Cashman LLP. 'These are vastly different types of goods and audiences.'
Biberaj's attorney, Angela Gasperini Shin, called Mattel's suit a classic case of 'trademark bullying.'
'They can't own the name Ken outside of dolls and toys,' she said.
Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here!
Advertisement
Mattel is a fierce protector of its trademarks.
The company previously battled a Bronx entertainer over his 'Blac Ken' moniker and famously tried to sue the band Aqua over their raunchy '90s hit Barbie Girl — a case the Supreme Court refused to hear in 2003.
6 Mattel has been a fierce protector of its Barbie trademark.
©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
More recently, Mattel squared off against Burberry, claiming its BRBY trademark sounded too close to Barbie. Burberry eventually caved and dropped the application.
Advertisement
The 'Coffee with Ken' case is in discovery and will eventually go before a trademark appeals court unless its settled.
Mattel declined to comment on the 'Coffee with Ken' fight, citing 'pending litigation.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
7 minutes ago
- USA Today
Worried about AI at work? Avoid these 5 leadership mistakes with your team
Artificial intelligence may be transforming the workplace, but for many employees, it's fueling uncertainty instead of excitement. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, 52% of U.S. workers worry AI could disrupt or replace their jobs. And an August 2024 SHRM survey found that nearly half feel unprepared for automation, while 95% say they don't trust their organization to manage the shift in a way that benefits everyone. How managers address these concerns can make or break team morale and productivity. Experts say clear, honest communication is critical, but the wrong message can backfire, fueling fear instead of trust. Whether you're rolling out new tools or just starting the conversation, it's important to engage your team with transparency, context and empathy. Below, two human resources experts break down five common mistakes to avoid when discussing AI with your team and provide guidance on navigating the discussion more effectively. 1. Acting like it's no big deal According to the World Economic Forum, when managers dismiss or avoid discussing AI concerns, they often create bigger problems down the road. 'Business leaders can't bury their heads in the sand and hope for the best,' says Eric Mochnacz, director of operations at Red Clover HR in New Jersey. 'They must have up-front discussions about the benefits of AI in their business, the drawbacks, the potential impacts and the areas where they'll not allow AI usage.' Chad V. Sorenson, president of Florida-based Adaptive HR Solutions, agrees that direct communication is key. 'Employees may feel AI threatens their jobs and may question leaders' motives for introducing AI tools,' he explains. So, 'address the fear and explore how AI can augment workflows and streamline repetitive tasks rather than replace workers.' Takeaway: Don't downplay concerns about AI. Acknowledge employee fears openly and explain how AI will support, not replace, their work. 2. Throwing around 'AI' without defining it AI isn't just one thing. Mochnacz explains that there's a significant difference between using generative AI to enhance email communications and utilizing AI chatbots to manage all customer interactions. Without these distinctions, employees don't understand what to expect from their workplace changes or how they can remain relevant. 'AI is such a buzzword, and leaders haven't taken the time to define it and understand the differences,' says Mochnacz. 'I've been in meetings where people ask, 'Can you do this with AI?' or 'Everyone's talking about AI, so we have to do something with it.'' He emphasizes the importance of clarifying the fundamentals: Takeaway: Don't use 'AI' as a vague catchall. Clearly define what types of AI you're using, what they do and why they matter to your team. 3. Failing to explain the why 'Any time leaders announce a new program or procedure without employee buy-in, there could be fear, skepticism or anger,' Sorenson cautions. Instead of simply telling employees what's changing, explain why the company needs AI. How does it fit into broader business goals? This context helps employees understand their role in the transition rather than viewing it as a threat. 'Ongoing two-way feedback is critical for continued refinement of how teams use AI to improve workflows, processes and results,' notes Sorenson. Takeaway: Don't skip the context. Explain why AI is being adopted and how it supports your team's goals to build trust and buy-in. 4. Overhyping what AI can do 'Leaders promising that AI will handle everything don't have a clear understanding of its possibilities and limitations,' Sorenson says. For instance, AI can help employees understand benefit plans. But it can't handle nuanced harassment complaints or mental health concerns. 'AI systems must be trained to understand when a human must intervene,' he adds. Mochnacz says the problem gets worse when leaders promise capabilities that may never materialize. 'We have no idea what AI is going to be able to do in a month, three months or a year,' he emphasizes. So, it's better to focus on specific, tested use cases rather than grand predictions about AI replacing everything. Takeaway: Avoid making big promises. Focus on what AI can realistically do today, not speculative future capabilities. 5. Leaving people out of the process 'Whenever there's a business, industry or technology shift, involve those it may impact,' stresses Mochnacz. 'Have up-front, direct conversations with your people about their roles and how they see AI helping them be more effective.' A recent MIT Sloan working paper finds that the most successful generative AI deployments consistently involve frontline workers from the earliest stages through rollout. Drawing on over 50 in-depth interviews, MIT researchers demonstrate that when employees help define the problem, co-design workflows, experiment with tools, and shape fair transition policies, not only does adoption improve, but worker productivity and job quality also rise. The key here is framing AI as a collaboration partner rather than a threat. Mochnacz explains that when leaders present AI as a good reality for everyone, employees will engage with the technology. But when the message becomes "prove AI can't replace you," workers resist because it feels like an ultimatum. Takeaway: Don't make AI decisions in a vacuum. Engage employees early and frame AI as a tool to support their work, rather than compete with it. What successful AI communication looks like Sorenson says poor AI communication shows up in obvious ways. You might notice more pushback in meetings, higher employee turnover or a spike in anxious watercooler conversations. These signals suggest that employees feel excluded or uncertain and may be bracing for the worst. In contrast, when communication is clear and inclusive, team engagement improves. 'If your AI communication strategy is successful, employees should engage in the conversation,' Sorenson notes. 'They'll make suggestions to continue to refine its use, and demonstrate an increased productivity level.' Look for those signs of healthy adoption: employees asking questions, suggesting improvements and using AI to work more efficiently. When teams feel empowered, not threatened, you know you've struck the right balance. What is USA TODAY Top Workplaces 2025? Do you work for a great company? Each year, USA TODAY Top Workplaces, a collaboration between Energage and USA TODAY, ranks organizations across the U.S. that excel at creating a positive work environment for their employees. Employee feedback determines the winners. In 2025, over 1,500 companies earned recognition as top workplaces. Check out our overall U.S. rankings. You can also gain insights into top-ranked employers by checking out the links below.
New York Post
7 minutes ago
- New York Post
Major hotel chain faces backlash for allegedly outsourcing check-ins — to India
A Miami hotel is facing backlash over a viral video that claims the front desk was staffed by an outsourced worker to welcome new guests during the check-in process. In the video, a guest who booked a stay at a La Quinta by Wyndham was welcomed by a tall screen displaying a virtual front-desk employee — who allegedly was in India. 'Do you need one room key or two room key?' the worker can be heard asking in the video, which has more than 2 million views since being posted on Saturday. The guest replies: 'Two, just in case I lose one.' The hotel customer then signs a form on the screen using their finger. 3 A traveler staying at a La Quinta by Wyndham hotel was allegedly checked in by an outsourced, virtual worker. @languageguy1/Instagram The interaction led social media users to slam the hotel chain for outsourcing jobs to overseas workers. 'More American jobs outsourced overseas. At some point this should just become illegal. If you make money in America, you should hire Americans,' one user wrote in a post on X. Another sniped: 'What hotel, so I can be sure to avoid it?' Some frustrated users even called on President Trump to target the practice by slapping tariffs on US-based companies that outsource jobs to overseas staffers. A spokesperson for La Quinta Inn, which is owned by Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, told the Daily Mail that it is actively investigating the matter. 3 'Do you need one room key or two room key?' the worker can be heard asking. @languageguy1/Instagram 'All La Quinta hotels are independently owned and operated under franchise agreements and required to have a team member at the front desk at all times.' Representatives for Wyndham did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment. The chain has several La Quinta locations in the Miami area. It's unclear how widespread the practice of outsourced virtual front-desk employees is at La Quinta hotels and other chains. Wyndham does offer mobile check-in for some guests, according to its website. A video posted to YouTube in February appears to show the same large tablet screen being used by an outsourced worker in a Wyndham hotel in Bonita Springs, Fla. 3 Outraged social media users were quick to slam the hotel chain on social media. @languageguy1/Instagram 'I checked into a hotel by talking to a man on a screen in the entryway. I scanned my ID, swiped my credit card, and the machine provided me a key,' the user who posted the video wrote in the caption. Another social media user said they had a similar experience with a virtual front-desk employee at a hotel in Dublin. 'Honestly, it was a lot quicker than dealing with front desk staff, and it prints out your keycard,' the hotel guest wrote in a post online. Meanwhile, a hotel in Amsterdam allegedly used a fully-automated check-in process, where guests fill out a form on an iPad, take a key card from a pile and tap it on a reader to activate it, according to another user on X. 'There's really no reason for these jobs at all in today's age,' they added.
Geek Tyrant
7 minutes ago
- Geek Tyrant
PEACEMAKER Star John Cena Explains His Last Minute Call From James Gunn to Cameo in SUPERMAN — GeekTyrant
John Cena is at the forefront of DC's resurgence under the guidance of James Gunn. He plays Peacemaker, who we first saw in Gunn's The Suicide Squad . Peacemaker has returned for a series that follows the anti-hero as he 'returns home after recovering from his encounter with Bloodsport - only to discover that his freedom comes at a price.' But ahead of his return in the second season of his show later this month, we got to see him for a brief cameo in Gunn's DC summer blockbuster Superman . Cena opened up about the cameo in a recent video, which you can check out below, and he said of the experience: "I was called in at the final hour as we were preparing for Peacemaker season 2. I did the costume fittings for the new Peacemaker season 2 wardrobe. They were filming Superman at the time, and James [Gunn] asked me if I wanted to be involved, and my answer was, 'Heck yes!'. So I got to go on a talk show and talk some smack about Superman." When asked why he thinks Superman is iconic, Cena responded: "Well, I think everything from the branding to the idea of a true virtuous superhero, you have to start the story of good and evil somewhere, and I think Superman is building block one of that." Superman is still playing in theaters, and Peacemaker season 2 premieres on HBO on August 21st.
