First they laugh. Then they copy
It has come to my attention that The Heughan Observer blog recently addressed two issues raised first on this page, without giving proper credits.
The first was Madam Mao's non-existent - as of yet - Masters degree in Counselling and Psychology, of which she was informed via a dutiful Anon, two days after I posted it:
[Source: https://www.tumblr.com/sgiandubh/811557445416681472/i-have-a-question-about-something-that-is-probably?source=share - posted March 19, 2026]
Shuttling Anons are not a novelty, in this fandom. Marple already did that several times, on her blog, which seems to comfort my own suspicion I am not afraid to openly spell out in here. Namely that Marple is probably involved in this new-ish expert blog:
[Source: https://www.tumblr.com/theheughanobserver/811682125649674240/the-plot-thickensnow-it-looks-like-steph-has-not?source=share - posted March 21, 2026]
So let me tell you something, Mrs. Observer: it's quaint to call out that woman's mild academic imposture, but don't you think it's also expected to give proper credit to whom discussed it first?
Second case and it is aggravating: she discusses something I strongly hinted about before, again without giving proper credit. Part of S's businesses joint trademark current predicaments. I know she got it from here and went digging - hello, Marple!-, because... well, because I only suggested part of the story in this post:
[Source: https://www.tumblr.com/sgiandubh/809780373844344832/afraid-to-dig-ive-been-thinking-about-your-hints?source=share - posted February 28, 2026]
Not your 'own hunch', blogger. Not in this, nor in any other alternate universe. This is, as I repeatedly explained and argued, a logical conclusion, based on a well-documented and mandatory court decision of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO):
[Source: https://www.tumblr.com/theheughanobserver/811685187036545024/i-have-an-observation-about-ss-and-would-like-to?source=share - posted March 21, 2026]
Twice in a row makes you a shameless plagiarist, in my book. And a sloppy one, at that, because you never informed your readers about the current state of play. As you should have done, considering you chose to go public with this particular conversation. A conversation based, on all accounts, on publicly released data - however not easily accessible by non-professionals. Which is the likely reason why you stopped digging, when you reached the first filter, asking you if you had your own account on the EUIPO's website, in order to access the paperwork.
I happen to have access to those and it is now time to spill the beans. With proper context and proper documents to boot, this time - yes, I have a quiet, better week-end and I intend to make good on loose ends, too.
This is the official timeline, as available on EUIPO's case law portal, which The Observer vigilante blogger did not or could not access:
[Source: https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#details/trademarks/019194981]
In a nutshell: a trademark application has been received by the EUIPO on behalf of Latha Ur, the company S and Norouzi jointly own in Scotland, on May 28th 2025.
It has remained undisturbed and uncontended until October 20th 2025, one day before the opposition legal delay expired.
On October 20th 2025, a letter of opposition was received by the EUIPO, from E&J Gallo Winery, a wine producer and distributor from California:
You might be forgiven of not knowing who the heck that producer/distributor even is. However, a cursory look makes things look quite a bit grim, to be honest:
[Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_%26_J_Gallo_Winery]
A giant, so to speak, with a rather rich litigation history and very poor labor relations record (of Cesar Chavez fame), too. Kindly remember my red underlined portion: it might come in handy in a jiffy.
[Source: same as the above]
The reasons given for the opposition are quite clear, too:
Partial homonymy, as ground of consumer confusion between the two trademarks, thus an alleged unfair competitive advantage supposedly benefitting Galloway. If this sounds absurd, this is because it probably is - but no less absurd than the other - unhappy - litigation between Sasse and Sassenach, on the same exact grounds. We know what happened then and we know this is what likely was a strong motivation for the acquisition of Galloway Distillery.
On October 30th, 2025, the EUIPO sent both opposing parties its decision to receive the case, which means in their view, Gallo's arguments were worth at least being taken into consideration:
It also drew a first calendar of further proceedings, spanning from then and until May 4th (not a joke) 2026:
This calendar has been revised and extended at least until March 2028, upon both parties' request, on December 15th, 2025:
What does it mean? It means both parties are now most probably looking forward to an out of court settlement, exactly like in the above seen litigation between Gallo Winery and Gallo Pasta, the Spanish producer (the red underlined portion I asked you to keep in mind a couple of minutes ago).
This also means that nothing is settled, at the time being, hence my hesitation to post about it before. There is clearly some pressure from Gallo Winery, pushing some sort of financial arrangement, which is more unplanned money being spent. Not to mention that, during the entire cooling-off period - and subsequent legal proceedings, if they fail to find a compromise - there is no way for S to sell his booze in the EU under the Galloway trademark, either.
Best case scenario, from this vantage point, is for both parties to quickly settle and keep this out of court. Worst case scenario would, of course, be a protracted legal battle that risks a sinister history repeating of Sasse vs. Sassenach, by the same EUIPO. And if this trademark is lost, so is the economical and financial interest of the entire Operation Coming Home.
What further complicates the story is the US patent destiny of the Galloway trademark. But that is another, connected side of the problem, I am choosing not to discuss today. It's already been a very, very long post.
If any of you noticed some interesting timeline coincidence with the appearance of a certain Llama Drama woman, well... believe what you want. But bear in mind there is no greater distraction from technically annoying and costly corporate blunders than a Love Story of the Century.
Speaking of which, I just noticed this:
The academic part of the bio is gone. A new, 🎵get your motor running/head out on the highway🎵pic is now in order. Isn't this cute, isn't she puerile and way too nosey, as far as this Tumblr community goes. And no, I doubt she was 'bullied'.
Of course, The Observer blogger took entire credit for it. Again - complete with my 'you're welcome' quite usual quip:
[Source: https://www.tumblr.com/theheughanobserver/811711096590368768/steph-has-now-removed-her-degrees-and-the-link-to?source=share - posted March 21, 2026]
A plagiarist means what it means: a thief. This fandom's Abibas, I suppose, but make it sound corporate and professional.
PS: with proper credit and thanks given to my initial tipper, a long time ago. You know who you are and I am grateful for this.
