HABANOS has killed the HABANOS CHRIS YouTube Channel ... UPDATE

[Habanoschris]

Hello all

I have been busy with work and travel and not too active on the forum for several weeks ... I wanted to share an overdue update. 

Habanos and their lawyers had YouTube remove my channel -Habanos Chris- towards the end of 2025. Someone (not ha_banos believe it or not lol) even suggested that it was somehow Kirby Allison who was worried about my upcoming top 5 review 🤣 I highly doubt I was on Kirby's radar and anyhow, the Kirby review is actually quite positive and was near completed when my channel was removed. 

The truth is Habanos and YouTube said this was all due to copyright issues. I guess using the name Habanos and some of the likeness of their logo wasn't the best idea in hindsight.  

Also, Habanos had removed my Instagram a long time ago. I think I even mentioned this in the interview with Rob and feelings that they may come for my channel. So in other words, I had plenty of time to defend against this by changing my channel name and logo etc. So call it being stubborn or lazy but I didn't want to change my name. Also, even with worry they would yank my channel, I didn't even back up some of my reviews. So if there are any "superfans" out there that downloaded my reviews reach out to me as I missing a few. 

However, I was able to find most of my reviews and was thinking of doing a re-boot under Havana Chris. I created a channel and made a new bumper (below). I know people are fatigued with cigar reviews and I am a bit myself but I felt my channel was slightly different in some ways with some brand history and somewhat unique video editing. I will keep you all posted if/when resume making YouTube cigar content.

http://www.youtube.com/@havanachris

I do really appreciate the friends I made through the channel, all the support, and getting to meet some of my cigar world heroes!

[El Presidente]

I wish you every success Chris! You deserve it. 

Habanos lawyers have been on the IP warpath for the past 6 years. I don't have a problem with them protecting their IP. 

FOH had to change from Friends of Habanos to Friends of El Habano after receiving a legal letter 5 years (?) ago. I took it to the higher levels given we are "Habanos Specialists" and have represented/Habanos officially since 2002 (and prior to that as a pirate since 1996). 

No go. They were adamant. 

Fair enough and to be honest, it was a god send. 

Take the licking, move on, be bigger and better. 

 

[Habanoschris]

Thanks Rob! It means a lot coming from you. I do recall your own name change issue which was obviously higher stakes.   

Great advice & class act as per usual.  

[Mike Mecklenburg]

Hi Chris, I was a early subscriber and follower of your channel and was sad to see it pulled. You would think that all the past positive content you provided would be appreciated by the powers at be. I'm glad you are renaming and bouncing back. Best wishes with the new channel!  Mike

[Montezüma]

Surprised to see the lawyers still making time for IP work while defending against the full might of American and Chinese governments.

[Marco_011t556]

Sad to hear. Someone changed their name as Habana...LOL!

[barrygoodvibes]

Such BS. So should I not start a channel under CocaColaBarry?

[yuppie]

Auto-subscribed! Can't wait to see the Kirby piece get published!

[JohnS]

Sorry to hear this, Chris. I hope you get back all your reviews!

[SonGoku]

Didn’t know of your channel before. So on a positive note you got a new subscriber 😊 Looking forward to your videos.

[ha_banos]

Here she is. Very busy doing more cancelling

Glad you decided to relaunch.

Let them come...

Χα_πανοσ.

[zacca]

I'm saying this with positive intent, but I would suggest changing your font and colors with the new logo. It’s close enough and you already poked the bear once…even if you ultimately win, you could be inviting more problems. 

[Habanoschris]

8 hours ago, ha_banos said:

Glad you decided to relaunch.

Let them come...

Χα_πανοσ.

Thanks brother 😚💨

[Habanoschris]

16 hours ago, zacca said:

Saying this with positive intent, but I would suggest changing your font and colors with the new logo.

I know...I know.  🙈🤣Like I said, I'm stubborn. I'm not sure they can claim copyright on a color or font. But then again, I kinda thought my last channel fell under fair usage like "Habanos News" for example so I'll think twice. Thanks.

[NYGuido]

I’d definitely love a reboot and am so sorry they’ve used the DMCA this way. 

[ATGroom]

6 hours ago, Habanoschris said:

 But then again, I kinda thought my last channel fell under fair usage like "Habanos News" for example so I'll think twice. Thanks. 

Assuming you're talking about the YouTuber in the hat, it's "Habano News", not "Habanos News." My understanding is that they're okay with people calling things "Habano" as a Habano is a cigar and people are allowed to like cigars. They are not okay with people calling things "Habanos" as it implies an association with Habanos SA, which is a registered trademark. Hence, El Habano Moderno and Habano News are okay, but Friends of Habanos, Cigars of Habanos, and Habanos Chris are not okay. At least that's my understanding. I guess that might be subject to change if I ever receive my own cease and desist letter.

[El Niño]

22 hours ago, Habanoschris said:

I know...I know.  🙈🤣Like I said, I'm stubborn. I'm not sure they can claim copyright on a color or font. But then again, I kinda thought my last channel fell under fair usage like "Habanos News" for example so I'll think twice. Thanks.

To my understanding, it would not be copyright infringement; however, they could probably to get you on trademark grounds

[BG318]

Sorry Chris. I know you put a lot of time into it.

[Habanos2000]

 Might also have to change my icon to an image of Winston Churchill smoking a cigar and giving the V sign to stay out of legal trouble!

[westg]

One of the very few I really enjoy watching.  Brilliant reviews and so very well done.  Keep going !.

The cigar world is a better place when we can tune in to the network you give us. Love your work and the input you provide for us here as well.