Citigroup Loses Claim To Word "Thanks," As Court Takes 30 Pages To Explain Why

When it was founded, Citigroup was a key player in US economic growth. Lately, however, the firm’s growth strategy appears askew, as a recent ruling in US District Court in the Southern District of New York illustrates.

Citigroup sues valuable co-branding partner AT&T over the word "thanks"

Citigroup had been suing long-time business partner, AT&T, and lost in court last Thursday.

What would cause the bank to sue AT&T, its co-branding business partner since 1998? Did the relationship sour over financial dealings gone bad? What could possibly motivate Citigroup to endanger such a valuable and time-tested relationship?

Citigroup was suing AT&T over using the words “thanks” in its customer loyalty program...