MUSIC NEWS - An all-girl Bon Jovi tribute band, called Blonde Jovi, has to change their name or risk the wrath of Bon Jovi's legal team after receiving a "cease and desist" order that accuses them of having a name and logo that's TOO similar to the actual band, and therefore confusing fans !!
According to Undercover.com.au, a letter from Bon Jovi's legal team at Blakey Sokoloff Taylor & Zafman reads: "It has recently come to our attention that your band is using the mark and name BLONDE JOVI in connection with live musical performances; more specifically, a Bon Jovi tribute band. Our investigation also uncovered that you are using Bon Jovi Production's 'Heart and Dagger' logo trademark prominently on your website. Unfortunately, and despite the fact that our client appreciates the reverence that your band pays tribute to Bon Jovi, as a tribute band, our client nevertheless is charged with the duty of enforcing its trademark rights".
It continues: "In this regard,BJP cannot allow your band to use the mark and name BLONDE JOVI (or any other BJP trademarks), as such use creates a likelihood of confusion with our client, and capitalises on the goodwill and reputation of its well-known marks. In view of the above, we demand, on behalf of our client, that you and your band immediately (i) cease and desist any and all further use of the mark and name BLONDE JOVI, or any other mark or name similar to our client's BON JOVI mark, in any manner". They concede: "We have no objection to your use of the word BLONDE as long as it is not used in combination with JOVI".
The tribute group have temporarily changed their name to Blonde Jersey while they try to come up with something better. With a 'current mood' of "pissed off", they've written on their mySpace: "Due to threatened legal action by Jon Bon Jovi's attorneys, we will no longer be using the name BLONDE JOVI. We are temporarily calling ourselves BLONDE JERSEY, until we come up with a new name. If you have any name suggestions, please email us! Nothing containing JOVI, or anything similar to JOVI may be used so BLONDE GIOVI, BLONDE JOE V, BLONDE JOVIE, are not options. Thanks for your support! Too bad we didn't go with our original name idea of BOOB JOVI !".
Obviously Bon Jovi's legal team at BST&Z doesn't represent Led Zeppelin, as the band Lez Zeppelin continues to be able to gig untroubled by legal issues! I highly doubt that an all-female band has confused anyone into thinking they were watching BON JOVI, especially at the clubs BLONDE JOVI / JERSEY plays. We wish the girls the best and wonder if Bon Jovi and/or their management were aware that the firm was pursuing legal action. We think a phone call or visit to see BLONDE JOVI to work it out amicably (and get Bon Jovi some good press) would have been a better way of handling this. Seems like another case of a legal team (Jon Bon Jovi's) being overly aggressive. We look forward to hearing Jon Bon Jovi and band's comments on the matter.
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