West Jordan company claims Krispy Kreme stole its Web address

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2000 | 9:34 a.m.

Tim and Burt Matthews, who opened Tommie's Donuts in July, say Krispy Kreme franchisees Sara and Lincoln Spoor of Las Vegas registered the Tommie's domain name to prevent them from marketing online. The Matthewses have asked the Spoors to give up the name.

The Spoors say the Matthewses copied their operation and that by registering the Tommie's name, they are protecting their own franchise.

The Spoors registered the name to prevent confusion caused by "Tommie's wrongful use of the Krispy Kreme style donut line," the Spoors' attorney wrote in a letter to the Matthewses' attorney.

The Matthewses started Tommie's in July, opening the doughnut shop in their Chevron convenience store. Since then, the brothers say they have sold nearly 1 million doughnuts.

"We're a couple of local boys ... and the Goliath of the doughnut world steps in and we appear as a threat to them," Tim Matthews said.

The Tommie's operation, named after their father, includes a window where customers can watch doughnuts being made. Krispy Kreme stores have similar windows.

"Our intent wasn't to copy Krispy Kreme," Tim Matthews said.

Salt Lake City attorney Chad McCoy, who represents the Matthewses, alleged in a letter to the Spoors that they may be violating the federal Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act and the Utah Unfair Trade Practices law.

The Spoors deny violating the law.