Ono Sues Lennon - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-13-2008, 12:15 AM

Late Beatle John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono is suing a singer/songwriter for naming her band Lennon. Ono has filed court papers accusing rocker Lennon Murphy of fraudulently registering Lennon as a trademark and for the "tarnishment" and exploitation of her late husband's name.

The 74-year-old wants the trademark canceled, reports TMZ.com.

However, Murphy insists Ono and her lawyer approved the use of the name Lennon for her debut album in 2000.

Murphy writes on her page on website MySpace: "If Yoko prevails, Lennon might never be able to tour or release records using the name Lennon."

John Lennon was shot dead in New York City in December 1980.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

Dean Winchester · 02-13-2008, 12:18 AM

ok, I love Yoko, but that is a little over the top.

Shouldn't Paul sue teen heartthrob Jesse McCartney as well? I mean, how dare he use the last name everyone associates with Paul?

Mikado · 02-13-2008, 12:26 AM

Great point, DW, sometimes I think this whole idea of "intellectual property" is just a way one artist tries to curb the creativity of another.

Ireneparalegal · 02-13-2008, 12:26 AM

Oy vey...

Crazy lawsuits, celebs bashing other celebs...when will this insanity end????

I agree John, over the top.

Dean Winchester · 02-13-2008, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

Great point, DW, sometimes I think this whole idea of "intellectual property" is just a way one artist tries to curb the creativity of another.

I agree. The girl's parents named her Lennon, it's her birthright to use that name if she wants to. Granted, she'll always be in the shadows of John and people will always think of him first when they hear the word Lennon, but since it is her name, what's the big deal?

Anyways, isn't there fair use to using names? I mean, Marilyn Manson anyone?

Ireneparalegal · 02-13-2008, 12:37 AM

You will never hear of anyone ever wanting to try to use the name OJ Simpson...but use MANSON? But of course.

Mikado · 02-13-2008, 12:50 AM

Elvis Costello uses Elvis' name and Buddy Holly's glasses, and no one sues him!

Ireneparalegal · 02-13-2008, 12:52 AM

No one cares!

Dean Winchester · 02-13-2008, 12:53 AM

well, I'd say Costello being a legend in the Hall Of Fame is a bit more established than Lennon, someone who I only know by name because it was neat to see someone who wasn't related to John using that name

88survivor · 02-13-2008, 12:53 AM

Oh, dear. Another celebrity! When will it end? Now, Ono would go Japanese on their asses. I really think I am seeing the light now.....Ono's becoming the lead singer and singing off-key in the band Lennon. First Natalie, then Aretha, and now Ono....Celebrity boxing for these three, please. Get a room, ladies.

Ireneparalegal · 02-13-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88survivor

Oh, dear. Another celebrity! When will it end? Now, Ono would go Japanese on their asses. I really think I am seeing the light now.....Ono's becoming the lead singer and singing off-key in the band Lennon. First Natalie, then Aretha, and now Ono....Celebrity boxing for these three, please. Get a room, ladies.

Something must have been in the water (or alcohol) at the Grammys

Notice, Aretha, Natalie and now Yoko have been mentioned in less than 24 hours AFTER THE GRAMMYS where all three attended????

Dean Winchester · 02-13-2008, 01:03 AM

Aretha, Natalie and Yoko are all getting up there in age too, they probably think it's unfair that Britney, Paris and Amy are getting all the attention

Natalie was surprisingly decent on Grey's Anatomy a few years ago

HuntingtonM15 · 02-13-2008, 01:39 AM

What a crazy old woman. I saw Lennon open for Pat Benatar last summer, and while I'm not really a big fan of her style of music, I will say she's a very talented artist. I just read Lennon's Myspace blog, and I feel so bad for her. She's not some big artist with a ton of money, and she can't afford to fight this, yet as she points out, Yoko still collects millions each year. Ridiculous.

Ireneparalegal · 02-13-2008, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean Winchester

Aretha, Natalie and Yoko are all getting up there in age too, they probably think it's unfair that Britney, Paris and Amy are getting all the attention

Maybe it's MENOPAUSE.

Dean Winchester · 02-13-2008, 02:18 AM

well, Yoko is 75, she was going through menopause around the time Lennon was murdered. Unless she's going through a second menopause

02-13-2008, 12:15 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Ono Sues Lennon Late Beatle John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono is suing a singer/songwriter for naming her band Lennon. Ono has filed court papers accusing rocker Lennon Murphy of fraudulently registering Lennon as a trademark and for the "tarnishment" and exploitation of her late husband's name. The 74-year-old wants the trademark canceled, reports TMZ.com. However, Murphy insists Ono and her lawyer approved the use of the name Lennon for her debut album in 2000. Murphy writes on her page on website MySpace: "If Yoko prevails, Lennon might never be able to tour or release records using the name Lennon." John Lennon was shot dead in New York City in December 1980. (This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-13-2008, 12:26 AM	#4
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Oy vey... Crazy lawsuits, celebs bashing other celebs...when will this insanity end???? I agree John, over the top.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

02-13-2008, 12:18 AM	#2
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	ok, I love Yoko, but that is a little over the top. Shouldn't Paul sue teen heartthrob Jesse McCartney as well? I mean, how dare he use the last name everyone associates with Paul?

02-13-2008, 12:26 AM	#3
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	Great point, DW, sometimes I think this whole idea of "intellectual property" is just a way one artist tries to curb the creativity of another.

02-13-2008, 12:37 AM	#6
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	You will never hear of anyone ever wanting to try to use the name OJ Simpson...but use MANSON? But of course.

02-13-2008, 12:50 AM	#7
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,892	Elvis Costello uses Elvis' name and Buddy Holly's glasses, and no one sues him!

02-13-2008, 12:52 AM	#8
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	No one cares!

02-13-2008, 12:53 AM	#9
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	well, I'd say Costello being a legend in the Hall Of Fame is a bit more established than Lennon, someone who I only know by name because it was neat to see someone who wasn't related to John using that name

02-13-2008, 12:53 AM	#10
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	Oh, dear. Another celebrity! When will it end? Now, Ono would go Japanese on their asses. I really think I am seeing the light now.....Ono's becoming the lead singer and singing off-key in the band Lennon. First Natalie, then Aretha, and now Ono....Celebrity boxing for these three, please. Get a room, ladies.

02-13-2008, 01:03 AM	#12
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	Aretha, Natalie and Yoko are all getting up there in age too, they probably think it's unfair that Britney, Paris and Amy are getting all the attention Natalie was surprisingly decent on Grey's Anatomy a few years ago

02-13-2008, 01:39 AM	#13
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	What a crazy old woman. I saw Lennon open for Pat Benatar last summer, and while I'm not really a big fan of her style of music, I will say she's a very talented artist. I just read Lennon's Myspace blog, and I feel so bad for her. She's not some big artist with a ton of money, and she can't afford to fight this, yet as she points out, Yoko still collects millions each year. Ridiculous.

02-13-2008, 02:18 AM	#15
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	well, Yoko is 75, she was going through menopause around the time Lennon was murdered. Unless she's going through a second menopause