J. Geils sues J. Geils Band for Trademark Infringement

Aug 1

No "freeze frame" for John Geils, Jr "J. Geils" or members of the J. Geils band that announced a tour this year without their name sake. J. Geils and the band are battling it out at the trademark office and the court-house for who owns the name. John Geils, Jr. through a company I am assuming he has partial ownership in, filed and received a trademark registration of J. GEILS BAND in 2009 for clothing and live performances. The application shows use dating back to 1967. The trademark examiner seemed to fully vet the application and required the consent of J. Geils as he is a living individual.

Fast forward to April 2012 when a company named T & A Research & Development Corp. filed a trademark application for "The J. Geils Band" claiming a date of first use in 1969. Again, the trademark examiner fully vetted the application and issued an initial refusal requiring the applicant to submit a consent from J. Geils and further requiring the applicant to explain its association to the band. The response is not yet due.

In May 2012, Geils Unlimited, LLC filed a trademark cancellation proceeding seeking to cancel the "J GEILS BAND" registration. The petition for cancellation alleges Geils and other band members entered into a written shareholders' agreement that restricted Geils use of the name J. GEILS BAND.

One more litigious twist - J. Geil's company filed a trademark infringement suit on August 1 in district court.

Be watching for updates on the blog and a discussion on Entertainment Law Update Podcast.

Band Name DisputesMusic BusinessTrademarktrademark litigationtrademark registration

Tamera H. Bennett

Tamera H. Bennett is a wife, mom, lawyer, mediator, blogger, podcaster, and legal writer. For two decades she’s helped clients protect what they create by practicing trademark, copyright and entertainment law in Texas and Tennessee.

Tamera has co-hosted more than 85 episodes of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast since 2009. And, she’s been honored to write for BILLBOARD magazine and the TEXAS LAWYER.

In the summer of 2015, Tamera backpacked 100 miles over 10 days with her son's Boy Scout Troop. Tamera walked her first half-marathon in 2012 and walked the Cowtown Half Marathon in February 2016 and February 2017 with a PR each time. You can visit Tamera’s blog at createprotect.com and follow her on Twitter @tamerabennett.

http://www.tbennettlaw.com

Tamera Bennett

Meet lawyer Tamera Bennett, your trusted advocate for trademark, copyright, and music law in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Tamera gets it when her clients pour their heart and soul into their projects…she is just as passionate about using the law to protect her clients' intellectual property rights.

Tamera’s office might be in a “small town,” but her 25 years’ of legal experience allows her to counsel clients on deals in all the “big” cities.

Meet Tamera Bennett

Gordon Firemark

Gordon Firemark is an attorney whose practice is devoted to the representation of artists, writers, producers and directors in the fields of theater, film, television,and music. He is also the publisher of Entertainment Law Update., a newsletter for artists and professionals in the entertainment industries. His practice also covers intellectual property, cyberspace, new media and business/corporate matters for clients in the entertainment industry.

Meet Gordon Firemark

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