Since 2007, a group of men have prowled around Wrigley Field in a bear costume wearing a Cub jersey, taking pictures with fans in exchange for tips.  Billy Cub managed to escape scrutiny for 6 years, until receiving a cease and desist letter last year from Major League Baseball claiming trademark infringement and requesting that he stop wearing the Billy Cub costume and engaging in “unabated Mascot Activities.”

Ignoring the request, Billy Cub has continued to perform around the stadium.  In the meantime, the Cubs have introduced an official mascot, Clark the Cub, and Billy Cub has found himself in hot water after getting in to a bar fight after someone ripped the bear head off of his costume.

Things came to a head this weekend when the Cubs filed a lawsuit against the people behind Billy Cub, claiming they are attempting to pass their character off as an official representative of the team.  The suit accuses them of trademark infringement, injuring the team’s reputation and unfair competition.  The lawsuit asks for the defendants to stop using the character and requests “deliver for destruction” all of the costume’s components.   The Cubs are also seeking payment for damages and legal fees.