The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’parent company, Pro Silver Star, filed a trademark lawsuit against My Chemical Romance and Live Nation on October 23, and it’s all about the backup dancers at the band’s Hollywood Bowl residency. The dancers wear blue-and-white uniforms during The Black Parade anniversary shows, and the cheerleaders say fans online mistook them for the real squad. The company is seeking a temporary restraining order before the final two Los Angeles shows on October 30 and 31.
Trademark experts told Billboard the case faces long odds. One noted that trademark law stops knockoff uniforms and impostor acts, not a“veto over a rock opera.”Another compared it to Mattel’s failed lawsuit over Aqua’s“Barbie Girl,”since expressive works get broad First Amendment protection. The cheerleaders’lawyers say cease-and-desist letters and a preview of the suit didn’t resolve the dispute.
The whole thing pits one of America’s most recognizable entertainment brands against a beloved rock band, and it raises a bigger question: how far do trademark rights stretch over artistic expression? The final two shows are still scheduled, and the internet is already picking teams. Whose side are you on?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.