Brian Damage
03-29-2009, 10:54 PM
Walter Mercado, guru of the galaxies, has spent four decades delivering astrological and spiritual advice to the Latin world -- cementing his flamboyant, profitable persona through TV shows, syndicated columns and radio segments.
But he didn't see drama coming when he signed a contract with a Miami promoter who promised to make him an even bigger, richer star. Now, Mercado, known as the Liberace of Astrology, may have lost the commercial rights to his own name and likeness.
A federal jury ruled that he breached a contract that gave promoter Bill Bakula ownership of the Walter Mercado trademark throughout the ''universe'' and into ''perpetuity.'' Bakula says that means he -- and he alone -- can make money off the name.
Mercado, who at 77 has no plans to quit delivering the horoscope to his fans, has to either find another universe or get the ruling clarified. A judge has been asked to sort out the mess.
''He wants to own me through all of my incarnations and across all of the stars,'' Mercado says while sipping espresso from a china teacup in the den of his antique-filled condo near downtown Miami.
Mercado is one of the Latin world's most beloved stars, mainly because he always gushes positivity. Yes, you can, his horoscopes affirm. And then he'll offer Leo a recipe for a love potion and Aquarius some numbers to play in the lottery. He remembers to stay upbeat, even when things are thorny.
''Walter Mercado has just been reborn!'' he says with typical flourish in late January after the federal trial that pitted him against Bakula, who was in charge of producing and marketing DVDs, CDs, TV segments, psychic telephone lines and a variety of products.
http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/961961.html
But he didn't see drama coming when he signed a contract with a Miami promoter who promised to make him an even bigger, richer star. Now, Mercado, known as the Liberace of Astrology, may have lost the commercial rights to his own name and likeness.
A federal jury ruled that he breached a contract that gave promoter Bill Bakula ownership of the Walter Mercado trademark throughout the ''universe'' and into ''perpetuity.'' Bakula says that means he -- and he alone -- can make money off the name.
Mercado, who at 77 has no plans to quit delivering the horoscope to his fans, has to either find another universe or get the ruling clarified. A judge has been asked to sort out the mess.
''He wants to own me through all of my incarnations and across all of the stars,'' Mercado says while sipping espresso from a china teacup in the den of his antique-filled condo near downtown Miami.
Mercado is one of the Latin world's most beloved stars, mainly because he always gushes positivity. Yes, you can, his horoscopes affirm. And then he'll offer Leo a recipe for a love potion and Aquarius some numbers to play in the lottery. He remembers to stay upbeat, even when things are thorny.
''Walter Mercado has just been reborn!'' he says with typical flourish in late January after the federal trial that pitted him against Bakula, who was in charge of producing and marketing DVDs, CDs, TV segments, psychic telephone lines and a variety of products.
http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/961961.html