Van Halen the band are suing one of drummer Alex Van Halen’s ex-wives, Kelly, over what they say is trademark infringement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Alex married his second wife Kelly Carter in 1984; twelve years later, he divorced Kelly Van Halen. Now, nearly two decades after the divorce papers were finalized, ELVH Inc. – the intellectual property holding company of the band Van Halen – is taking Kelly Van Halen to a California federal court over her use of her name in trade.
Specifically, Alex Van Halen's ex-wife has named her construction and interior design company after herself, which the plaintiff asserts is a trademark infringement.
In the lawsuit, Kelly is said to have filed two trademark applications on "Kelly Van Halen" for products like chairs, children's blankets, bathing suits, building construction, interior design services and more.
The band is opposing the trademarks on the ground that the mark - her real name - is "confusingly similar to Plaintiff's Van Halen Marks in sound, appearance and commercial impression."
It's also asserted that goods in the apparel and fashion space "are either identical or closely related to the goods sold by Plaintiff," and that Kelly Van Halen is diluting Van Halen, passing off Van Halen and committing unfair competition for Van Halen.
Read the full complaint here.
Alex Van Halen married his third/current wife, Stine Schyberg, in 2000.
The band Van Halen wrapped up their “A Different Kind Of Truth” tour in July.
See also:
Eddie Van Halen biography due in 2015
Van Halen: David Lee Roth to release Greatest Hits package
Eddie Van Halen sues contractor for home damage