The ‘shoey’
Yes, you read it right the shoey has been trademarked by the owners of Formula One.
The trademark for the shoey has been granted despite being invented 15 years ago by Aussie surfers in which beer or champagne is sculled from a shoe or boot.
Twins Dean and Shaun Harrington, founders of cult surf brand The Mad Hueys, claim to have done shoeys as early as 2002 and was trademarked by a relative of there’s.
The shoey has become famous after being performed Daniel Ricciardo as part of his podium celebrations. Since Ricciardo started doing thew shoey many others have joined in with the celebration on the podium including Gerard Butler, Mark Webber and Martin Brundle.
F1 was granted their trademark on August 24 last year, and it came into effect in 25 countries on January 4, The Independent reported.
The trademark applies to flasks, glasses, bottles, mugs, sculptures and figurines, and puts the F1 in conflict with the Australian surf industry entrepreneurs.
It has been registered in 25 countries including Australia, the United States, Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.
Filings made to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) show an F1 application applying to clothing was rejected due to the existing trademark, which belongs to Korinne Harrington.
The Gold Coast-based Mad Hueys describe themselves as a surfing and fishing crew and now sell clothing, merchandise and their own craft beer.
In a 2016 interview, the Harrington twins said the shoey was handed down to them by their ancestors at birth in 1985.
‘Daniel Riccardio. I was so proud of him. Sculled it like a true champion,’ one of the twins told Stab Magazine.
‘After doing a race a couple of hours long and all that sweat in there building up – it was a bit watered down but you gotta respect it.’
Nine Australian men stripped down to their speedos and were arrested after doing shoeys at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2016, earning themselves the nickname ‘Budgie Nine’.
The news has caused outrage among Australian social media users, who said they would not let the trademark stop them performing the celebration.
‘I’m still going to do a shoey when it’s warranted and call it a shoey because it’s a shoey, dude,’ said one.
‘Stop stealing Aussie intellectual property like drinking p*** out of a sweaty shoe,’ said another.