THEY are promoted by their makers as offering comfort where you need them most.
But it seems Comfyballs has been given a kick in the pants by Americans who think their name is erm, a little below the belt.
The Scandinavian company which has already “expanded†into the UK, New Zealand and Australia might not be so popular in the US after the Patent and Trademark Office banned it from operating under that name.
“In the context of the applicant’s goods ... Comfyballs means only one thing — that a man’s testicles, or ‘balls,’ will be comfortable in the applicant’s undergarments,†the office said.
“The mark does not create a double entendre or other idiomatic expression ... When used in this way, the word, ‘balls’ has an offensive meaning.â€
With a range that includes pitch black long performance, and all red long, it’s not hard to see why Americans thought it was a bit pants.
But underwear founder Anders Selvig said he thought the guidelines went too far.
“Luckily, Europeans have a softer view on what is deemed to be vulgar and the EU allowed Comfyballs to trademark without hassle earlier this year,†he said.
Thankfully, most on Twitter saw the funny side.