Pop duo Hall and Oates are suing a cereal company over the name of its maple syrup and oat granola . The two musicians have accused the Brooklyn-based firm of infringing on their trademark with the packet of cereal - called Haulin ' Oats . Early Bird Foods & Co , who make the cereal , deliberately created a phonetic play on the band 's well-known name , the duo claim . The lawsuit suggests the company must hand over any profits made from the granola as it has traded off the band 's 'fame and notoriety ' . Pop duo Hall and Oates ( left ) are suing a cereal company over their maple syrup and oat granola - named Haulin ' Oats ( right ) It adds that others have previously tried 'to make a connection between the artists ' names and oats-related products ' . The cereal - which costs $ 27 for three packets - is described as 'wholesome old-fashioned goodness ' on the company 's website . It is sold in 38 states , as well as Europe and Japan . Nekisia Davis , owner of Early Birds Food , said she had no comment . But in an apparent reference to one of the duo 's 1983 hits she added : 'Except say it is n't so . ' Daryl Hall ( left ) and John Oates ( right ) pose together before a performance in July 2004 . They claim that the cereal company should hand over any profits made from the granola . Hall and Oates started working together in the early 1970s and have sold more albums than any other duo in music history . Their 1972 debut album and corporate company are called Whole Oats . Hits include Maneater , Rich Girl , Private Eyes , I Ca n't Go for That ( No Can Do ) , Sara Smile and She 's Gone . The case was filed in Brooklyn federal court .
Daryl Hall and John Oates claim the cereal infringes on their trademark . The case is being heard in a federal court in San Francisco, where it could have far-reaching implications for other companies that use similar names or logos to sell cereal.