The story of the Little Red Hen is old and familiar. None of the hen’s animal friends would help make the bread. When asked to help, “Not I!” the grammatically correct animals would reply.  However, all the animals came around after the hard work was done and it was time to eat. The hen did not share with the latecomers, and ate the bread with her chicks.  The story remains a lasting allegory for the benefits of hard work.

However, the story should also serve as a reminder that a person who builds something has to say no to stragglers who come later to reap the hard worker’s rewards. This story has special relevance in the world of trademark law, as illustrated by the commotion currently surrounding the Red Hen restaurant in Washington, D.C.

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