Interesting news that might lead to a discussion of Nontraditional Trademarks: the New York Daily News is reporting that R&B singer Trey Songz is suing Dave Hester, star of the “Storage Wars” TV show, concerning Hester’s registered trademark and trademark applications. The trademark in question is YUUUP! – you read that right. Can that be protected as a trademark?
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Archives: Entertainment Law
One Direction Sued Over Trademark
April 12, 2012
One Direction Sued Over Trademark The popular British boy band One Direction has been sued by another band with the same name, based out of California. This post will refer to the UK band as One Direction UK and the US band as One Direction US. How are these disputes analyzed, and what’s the likely outcome in this case?
Girls Gone Wild, the Material Girl, and “Barbie Girl”
March 20, 2012
Madonna’s new album, MDNA, is set to be released at the end of March. Along with the attendant publicity, Madonna has also received a cease-and-desist letter from none other than Joe Francis, creator of the adult video franchise Girls Gone Wild. Francis threatened to pursue legal action in court against Madonna for the singer’s use of his trademark, “Girls Gone Wild,” as the title of a song on the upcoming album. Francis sent the letter just before Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show performance, ordering her not to perform the song “Girls Gone Wild.” Madonna did not perform the song (although…
A Long Time Ago, in a Parody Far Far Away…
February 29, 2012
If you’re a fan of the original Star Wars movies, then you’ll love Star Wars: Uncut, a viral video created by hundreds of fans around the world. Each fan claimed 15 seconds from the original Star Wars (Episode IV: A New Hope) and re-filmed it using whoever and whatever they liked – animation, live action, their pets, Star Wars Legos, you name it. The entire film was put together and can be watched online. The Star Wars movies are copyrighted, subject to trademark protection, and probably covered by alien forms of intellectual property law known only by George Lucas and…
