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  • TUESDAY FEBRUARY 12 2008 5:00 PM

Edit: SG Lennon is Being Sued by Yoko Ono???

On February 12th, I wrote the following news story:

"I’ve never been a big fan of Yoko Ono. Though had you previously asked me to justify this opinion, I would have been at a loss. It was a view bequeathed to me by my father and his frequent voicing of what bitch he thought she was. But now I’ve been given some concrete evidence: she is suing Lennon.

Yes, she is suing Lennon, Lennon Murphy, the SG model and musician. Lennon is her real name, but Yoko Ono seems to think that the performer is “intentionally exploiting the name and confusing people by using it.” Lennon was, in fact, named after John Lennon and has been performing with that name since the age of 14.

Lennon is my first name by birth and I am regularly asked if I was named after the Beatle, having always replied no. My mother named me after "John Lennon that wrote songs, painted, and baked bread with his son". She named me for the man, not the pop star.



Lennon claims that Yoko Ono has been aware of her name and its usage since 2000, when a lawyer at Arista Records presented the widow with the information. In 2003, Lennon trademarked the name with the United States Patent and Trademark office, and everything seemed to be copasetic. Fast-forward to now – two days before the statute of limitations on the trademark was to expire – the same lawyer has brought forward a suit against Lennon Murphy for use of the name. She is being accused of misleadingly representing herself, causing confusing in the marketplace, and tarnishing John Lennon’s name.

Lennon has posted an open letter on her website and Myspace page, from which the following is an excerpt:

I'm not sure what confusion I could be causing since I don't have the $50,000 to hire a lawyer and fight this. If people were confusing me with John Lennon and accidently buying my records I should have more than enough money to live my life and hire a lawyer? I wish that was the case. I haven't worked since Oct. 2007, so I live on just enough to get through the months until I get back on the road. I have no idea what I'm going to do yet in this situation, and I'm stressed, angry, and scared.

This is my life. I have no respect for the name Murphy. It was my father's name we will leave it at that. I have represented myself as Lennon because this is my name. That was the name that meant so much to my mother. That's who I am. I'm pissed and hurt that someone in Yoko's position has nothing better to do than fuck with my life, and collect the $25,000,000 a year that the John Lennon estate brings in. Yes, this is a real number or close enough to it. This is how I look at it. With that kind of income she probably pays more in taxes every year the you or I will make in our whole life time. So what do I have that can be of such value to her after 8 years. I don't want to lose my name all because someone is bored in their life of luxury.

I don't know what's going to be the outcome, but I just wanted everyone to know what is going on. I never falsified my intentions, I never used John Lennon for my benefit, and I never took one cent out of Yoko's bank account. I play music, my name is Lennon, and the most heartbreaking thing out of this whole situation is the insult it gives to my late mother and who she believed in; on top of demeaning the man that John Lennon was and will always be.



And I agree. So here’s to supporting Lennon, a fellow Suicide Girl, against the incomprehensible greed of Yoko Ono. Yoko Ono, the woman whose February 2007 remix album is entitled Yes, I’m a Witch.

And, for the record, we're not alone - even Julian Lennon has voiced his support.




Fatality is just glad that Lennon is the SG and not Yoko Ono. *shudder*"

Since then, however, forthcoming information has necessitated a reworking of that story. On February 14, a reaction letter from Yoko Ono was distributed. In this letter, Yoko claims that the previous claims of a suit against Lennon Murphy are untrue.

A musician named Lennon Murphy is claiming that Yoko Ono has sued her and that Yoko is seeking to stop Lennon Murphy from performing under her name, Lennon Murphy. Both of these claims are untrue.

Several years ago, Lennon Murphy sought Yoko's permission to do her performances under her name, Lennon Murphy. Yoko, of course, did not object to her request. Subsequently, without Yoko's knowledge, Lennon Murphy filed an application in the United States trademark Office requesting the exclusive right to utilize the name "Lennon" for musical performances. Yoko's attorneys asked Lennon Murphy's attorneys and manager to withdraw her registration of exclusivity to the name LENNON for the trademark. Yoko also offered to cover all costs Lennon Murphy had incurred in filing for the trademark. But Lennon Murphy went ahead to register.

Yoko did not sue Lennon Murphy, but sought to stop her from getting the exclusive right to the name Lennon for performance purposes. For that, Yoko's attorneys, simply notified the Trademark office that Yoko did not believe it was fair that Ms. Murphy be granted the exclusive right to the "Lennon" trademark in relation to musical and entertainment services. As you can see, this is a very important issue for Yoko and the Lennon family.

Yoko says: "I am really hurt if people thought that I told a young artist to not use her own name in her performances and had sought to sue her. I did no such thing. I hope this allegation will be cleared.



It will be interesting to see how this all pans out as the feverish frenzy from the previous reporting simmers down...we can disentangle the relative distribution between misunderstanding, publicity intents, poor journalism, fulfillment of expectations and desires, misapprehension of the law, and all of the other factors that can combine to create such a headline. The truth seems a bit obscured right now, but if any additional news or commentaries from the two women arise, I will be sure to further update the story.

Fatality has edited.

 

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Comments
BellyJack

BellyJack

I'm lost
May 2005

FEB 13, 2008 03:17 AM

Everybody is starting to play this game.

A French communications advisor, Mary Katsumi, successfully brought suit against the adult film actress known as Katsumi (who has since changed her screen name to Katsuni).

I'm wondering where it will all end?

Yoko Ono will be 75 years old in a few days. Her birthday is Feb 18th, so send her your lo...v snap! ..e (sorry, my tongue just shot across the room). Point is, she's due for another reincarnation in a handful of years so the problem may take care of itself.

RozDoss

RozDoss

I'm lost
September 2006

FEB 13, 2008 03:32 AM

that woman is:
1) a bitch
2) stupid
3) both
puke

SocietysPliers

SocietysPliers

Ocala, FL
October 2004

FEB 13, 2008 04:25 AM

So much for Peace & Love, huh?

Lennon should countersue for Yoko trademarking her given name that she had BEFORE the illegal trademarking.

Admiral_Pants

Admiral_Pants

Austin, TX
May 2004

FEB 13, 2008 04:39 AM

ericwine said:

Nixon said:
I hope this doesn't become a trend. Other wise Reagan and I shall have to leave the country...



Not to mention Clinton...



Also, Carter, Coolidge, and VanBuren.

NoPantsDave

NoPantsDave

Cincinnati, OH
OLD SKOOL

FEB 13, 2008 06:03 AM

LostLucy said:
I never heard that Elvis Costello had trouble from Elvis Presley's estate... it is her given name, and that makes a big difference.

SO far from finding peace or Zen, Yoko Ono seems to have incorporated crazy.



Elvis Costello is not his birth name.....he was born Declan MacManus. Also, for one album back in the 80's, he called himself Napoleon Dynamite. That said, I still cannot think of any problems the Presley estate ever gave him.

SocietysPliers

SocietysPliers

Ocala, FL
October 2004

FEB 13, 2008 06:55 AM

NoPantsDave said:

LostLucy said:
I never heard that Elvis Costello had trouble from Elvis Presley's estate... it is her given name, and that makes a big difference.

SO far from finding peace or Zen, Yoko Ono seems to have incorporated crazy.

Elvis Costello is not his birth name.....he was born Declan MacManus. Also, for one album back in the 80's, he called himself Napoleon Dynamite. That said, I still cannot think of any problems the Presley estate ever gave him.

I think that was her point. Loco Oh No is suing someone who HAD the name already.

I don't think Mojo Nixon got sued by Tricky Dicky or Jim "Mr. Mojo Risin'" Morrison, either.

PointBlank

PointBlank

New York, NY
November 2004

FEB 13, 2008 07:10 AM

SocietysPliers said:

NoPantsDave said:

LostLucy said:
I never heard that Elvis Costello had trouble from Elvis Presley's estate... it is her given name, and that makes a big difference.

SO far from finding peace or Zen, Yoko Ono seems to have incorporated crazy.

Elvis Costello is not his birth name.....he was born Declan MacManus. Also, for one album back in the 80's, he called himself Napoleon Dynamite. That said, I still cannot think of any problems the Presley estate ever gave him.

I think that was her point. Loco Oh No is suing someone who HAD the name already.

I don't think Mojo Nixon got sued by Tricky Dicky or Jim "Mr. Mojo Risin'" Morrison, either.


If he had ever tried to trademark the name "Elvis" he would have been sued. Which is exactly what Lennon did. Of course, no one would have been upset because he's not an SG.

From the other thread:

Squire said:

PointBlank said:
Also, I think that in order to keep a trademark, or in order to protect a name (or brand) the holder has to vigilantly protect it (sue people who try to use it, no matter who they are)? Maybe I'm wrong, though.



Absolutely true. If Yoko had not prosecuted, that is proof that she no longer uses or cares about the TM, and she could theoretically lose it down the road. You know what? I wouldn't be suprised it Lennon has been on their radar for the last 8 years, and Yoko held her lawyers back until the last minute, hoping perhaps that over time Lennon would stop performing and using the TM, and would just lose it. She may yet be all about peace and karma.

The one thing that Lennon has going for her is the fact that she has been using the surname for so long with nobody trying to enjoin her from doing so. But the force is pretty strong with Yoko and Lennon on this one.

For the record, I think this is a bummer and I hope Lennon gets through this without much of a hassle. If I was her, I'd agree to change the name immediately so any recent publicity resulting from this faisco notes said change and people can take notice. smile


It's sort of funny that everyone is upset at Yoko for defending a trademark, when Lennonherself is the one that has tried to trademark a name.

Gonzeaux

Gonzeaux

Denver, CO
February 2004

FEB 13, 2008 07:54 AM

Thats just foolish on Yoko's part, the album must not be selling well enough. I know if you play her last cd loud enough it kills plants.....

Bev_Antain

Bev_Antain

Italy
February 2004

FEB 13, 2008 08:21 AM

One more reason to wonder what the hell was John Lennon thinking when he started dating her

Falstaff

Falstaff

Macon, GA
February 2004

FEB 13, 2008 09:05 AM

DexterMorgan said:

Falstaff said:
Also, if Tricky Dick rises from his grave at Yorba Linda to demand the return of his name, I'd give it to him. He was pretty rough in life; I imagine zombie Nixon is not to be crossed.



Nixon's head in a jar is just as menacing.
zoom image



I was actually thinking of this:

zoom image

But you make an excellent point.

connielingus

connielingus

Magnolia, NJ
September 2005

FEB 13, 2008 09:13 AM

Yoko's a dick!

spamtwo

spamtwo

United Kingdom
April 2006

FEB 13, 2008 10:05 AM

ckdexterhaven said:
Hello massive publicity for SG.



some might say it's a conspiracy

Vermin

Vermin

United Kingdom
July 2007

FEB 13, 2008 10:22 AM

Bollocks. Yoko Ono hasn't got a leg to stand on - if Lennon was calling herself "John Lennon" then yeah there might be confusion but that isn't her fucking name.

It's as ridiculous as her being sued by Murphy's brewery for her second name being Murphy. Sounds to me like Yoko is desperate for money and media attention.

SocietysPliers

SocietysPliers

Ocala, FL
October 2004

FEB 13, 2008 10:30 AM

PointBlank said:
If he had ever tried to trademark the name "Elvis" he would have been sued. Which is exactly what Lennon did<snip snip>
It's sort of funny that everyone is upset at Yoko for defending a trademark, when Lennonherself is the one that has tried to trademark a name.

I must have misunderstood. I thought it was Yoko that tried to trademark it.

And how could ANYONE trademark a FIRST NAME that's already in use.

Like, if Larry David trademarked "David" and said I couldn't use it anymore.

It's John's surname, but it's Lennon's FIRST name.

Or Ron Jeremy could sue anyone with the first name of "Jeremy," I suppose.

I don't know about Lennon trying to trademark it, but still . . . I can't see asny court telling someone they have to give up their birth name.

Shal

Shal

Los Angeles, CA
October 2002

FEB 13, 2008 10:38 AM

SocietysPliers said:

PointBlank said:
If he had ever tried to trademark the name "Elvis" he would have been sued. Which is exactly what Lennon did<snip snip>
It's sort of funny that everyone is upset at Yoko for defending a trademark, when Lennonherself is the one that has tried to trademark a name.

I must have misunderstood. I thought it was Yoko that tried to trademark it.

And how could ANYONE trademark a FIRST NAME that's already in use.

Like, if Larry David trademarked "David" and said I couldn't use it anymore.

It's John's surname, but it's Lennon's FIRST name.

Or Ron Jeremy could sue anyone with the first name of "Jeremy," I suppose.

I don't know about Lennon trying to trademark it, but still . . . I can't see asny court telling someone they have to give up their birth name.



That's not what's at stake here (are people really misunderstanding this that badly?!?). Lennon the singer trademarked Lennon in 2003. That was in the article Fatality wrote.

What's at stake here is if Lennon can trademark the name "Lennon," call her band "Lennon" and continue to perform and market music with that name.

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