Duracell Bunny
| Duracell Bunny | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First appearance | 1973 |
| Company | Duracell |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Rabbit |
A Duracell Bunny is any of several anthropomorphic pink rabbits powered by batteries, used to promote Duracell brand batteries. In commercial advertisements, the Duracell Bunny is actually only one of these rabbits, powered by a Duracell battery rather than supposed rival batteries. The advertisement is based on the concept that the bunny powered by a Duracell alkaline battery can continue functioning for a longer time, compared to an identical device running on inherently lower-duration zinc-carbon batteries. In advertisements, the Duracell Bunny is either standard battery-powered toy, a stop-motion puppet, or a CGI animated character.
The advertisements usually feature the bunnies competing in some way, for example, a game of football, a drumming competition or a race.
The Duracell Bunny campaign was launched in 1973[1] and predates the Energizer Bunny, which was created in 1989.[2] There are differences in appearance—the Energizer Bunny wears sunglasses, has larger ears, is a different shade of pink, and has a different body shape. Also, while the Energizer Bunny is a single rabbit, the Duracell Bunnies are a species. The Energizer Bunny is depicted with a drum, because the Duracell Bunny toys had drums. The Duracell Bunny advertising campaign has changed, and Duracell Bunnies are usually depicted as doing something other than beating a drum.
When the Duracell Bunny debuted in North America, it was intended to be just a one-shot character. But when Energizer's parody became a great success, Duracell decided to revive the Duracell Bunny. The Duracell Bunny no longer appears in North America. This is due to Energizer filing a trademark claim for the marketing use of a "battery bunny" in the United States and Canada. However, it occasionally appears on grey market Duracells or counterfeit Duracells, usually of Chinese origin.[citation needed]
The Duracell Bunny was originally trademarked as Rampant Rabbit for use in the U.S. and other countries. Duracell failed to renew its U.S. trademark of the bunny and as a result, lost it.[citation needed] Energizer, seizing an opportunity, trademarked a new bunny for its use.
In Europe & Australia the term "Duracell Bunny" has entered the vernacular as a term for anything that continues indefatigably while in North America the term "Energizer Bunny" has a similar connotation.[citation needed]
In the U.K. in 1995, limited editions of the Bunny could be found wearing the kit of Blackburn Rovers - of whom the Bunny was an avid fan following their Premier League Title success.[citation needed]
In February 2016, Energizer filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Duracell. Energizer alleged that Duracell was using a pink bunny in its advertising in the United States, did not have any trademark rights in the United States in a pink bunny, and had violated an agreement between Energizer and Duracell governing the use of a pink bunny trademark in the U.S. [3]
References
- ^ "Bunny History". Archived from the original on May 5, 2010.
It began in 1973, when breakthrough advertising was developed...A small pink, fluffy bunny was created, who, powered by Duracell batteries, was able to outlast all others in an array of colourful challenges....From 1973 through to 1980, the Duracell Bunny starred in a toy campaign, which was later rolled out around the world.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "About the Energizer Bunny".
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, 1989.
- ^ http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/02/19/p-g-faces-energizer-lawsuit.html