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Now Beyonce is telling a Texas company selling stuff online
bearing the name "Feyonce" to put a lid on it.
Beyonce, one of the world's most famous and influential pop
stars, on Tuesday sued to stop the sale of dozens of shirts,
sweaters, tank tops, hoodies and even coffee mugs bearing the "Feyonce"
name, which she calls too close to her own trademarked name.
In a complaint filed in Manhattan federal court, Beyonce accused
Feyonce Inc and three individuals, all from San Antonio, of
"brazenly" selling infringing "Feyonce" merchandise at their
website.
Among the items is a $14.95 mug with the phrase "he put a ring
on it," which Beyonce said was intended to call to mind the
lyrics of "Single Ladies."
Beyonce, 34, who is married to rapper Jay Z and has won Grammy
awards as a solo artist and with Destiny's Child, said the sale
of Feyonce knockoffs confuses consumers and causes her
irreparable harm, and that the defendants have ignored her
requests to stop.
She also said one defendant, Andre Maurice, has gone so far as
to file two U.S. trademark applications for "Feyonce," with and
without the accent over the "e."
"Defendants adopted the Feyonce mark to call to mind Beyonce and
her famous song," the lawsuit said. "Defendants' conduct
described herein is intentional, fraudulent, malicious, willful
and wanton."
Beyonce's lawsuit also seeks unspecified damages.
It is unclear whether the defendants have lawyers. Maurice,
speaking by phone, declined to comment, saying he had yet to
review the lawsuit.
Beyonce's law firm, Pryor Cashman, declined further comment.
The case is Knowles-Carter et al v. Maurice et al, U.S. District
Court, Southern District of New York, No. 16-02532.
(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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