Alex and Kelly Van Halen divorced over 20 years ago, yet Kelly has kept Van Halen as her surname. Now the company that controls the group’s name is suing her for trademark infringement.
Kelly Van Halen (originally Carter) has named two companies she owns and named after herself and has attempted to trademark her name in relation to her businesses. According to ELVH, Inc., this amounts to trademark infringement, alleging that she is using the Van Halen name to advance her company in the marketplace.
In addition, the band says that the name is “confusingly similar to Plaintiff’s VAN HALEN Marks in sound, appearance and commercial impression.”
The more questionable assertion in the lawsuit says that what Kelly is selling is “either identical or closely related to the goods sold by Plaintiff.” As her lines includes children’s blankets, furniture, construction services and interior design, it is a little hard to see how the band’s products, even those that are licensed, are “closely related.”
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