"DJ Logic" Not Famous Enough to Win Trademark Case Against Rapper "Logic"

Kibler v. Hall, No. 15-2516 (6th Cir. Dec. 13, 2016).

The Sixth Circuit affirmed summary judgment for defendants, holding that a disc jockey named "DJ Logic" was not famous enough to succeed on his trademark dilution claims against the rapper performing as "Logic" and there was no likelihood of consumer confusion.  As to the trademark infringement claim, the parties agreed that the DJ's mark was protectable so the Court focused on "the likelihood that potential buyers of rap would believe Kibler’s music is Hall’s or vice-versa." and applied the 6th Circuit's balancing-test to find that "because no reasonable jury could find a likelihood of confusion based solely on a few instances of actual confusion, defendants are entitled to judgment as a matter of law on Kibler’s federal trademark infringement and related state law claims."  As to the dilution claim, 

Kibler’s evidence clearly falls short of the high threshold for fame under the Lanham Act. “DJ LOGIC” is simply in a different league from the marks that have met this threshold. Indeed, having failed to show that his mark is commercially strong for even trademark infringement purposes, Kibler cannot point to a triable issue here.

Taylor Swift Faces Trademark Action Concerning Merchandise

Blue Sphere, Inc. v. Swift, Case No. SACV 14-00782-CJC (C.D. Cal. Sep. 17, 2014).

The Court denied country-star Taylor Swift's motion to dismiss plaintiff's trademark infringement and dilution case.  Defendants contended that Plaintiffs had failed to show a likelihood of confusion.  The Court found that while it is possible that Plaintiffs may not be able to present sufficient evidence to survive a summary judgment motion, they had plausibly alleged facts to survive a motion to dismiss.  Plaintiffs alleged that they own the mark LUCKY 13, and further alleged that the Defendants’ use of the identical LUCKY 13 mark in connection with the sale of t-shirts online and through the online promotion of a “Lucky 13 Sweepstakes” is likely to cause confusion.  The Court also found that Plaintiffs sufficiently alleged that the mark is famous so that the dilution claim survived.

No Proof of Famousness - Dilution Sum. Judgment Denied

Irby v. Thompson, No. 05 Civ. 9935, NYLJ 6/5/09 "Decision of Interest" (S.D.N.Y. May 29, 2009) (Swain, J.)

Action arists out of the alleged use and dilution of the mark "Hi-Five" by defendants via the production, marketing, and distribution of recordings under the "Hi-Five" name without the consent of former "Hi-Five" bank members (plaintiffs). Plaintiff's second motion for summary judgment denied.

Dilution, 15 U.S.C. 1125(c). Dispute as to whether the mark "Hi-Five" is famous. Plaintiffs provided no evidentiary proffers to establish the mark's fame other than information contained in documents purporting to be pritntouts from the website of the RIAA, for which plaintiffs failed to proffer the necessary foundational support and authentication pursuant to Fed. R. Evid., Art. VIII. Therefore, plaintiffs failed to carry their burden of demonstrating that the "Hi-Five" mark is famous as a matter of law. (The Court expressly decided, fn. 6, that the purported RIAA records were not subject to judicial notice pursuantt o Rule 201 of the Fed. R. of Evid.)

Failure to Prosecute, Fed. R. Civ. P. 41. The Court directed plaintiffs to "show cause" as to why Plaintiffs' claims against all defendants other than a media marketing and distribution business (that allegedly marketed and distributed the recordings in question) should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute.

Summary Judgment. In denying Plaintiffs' second motion for summary judgment, the court held that "No further dispositive pre-trial motions will be entertained."