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The Boston Herald covered a lawsuit filed by Boston-area hardcore punk band singer Wesley Eisold before the United States District Court, Central Districy of California against WWE Champion Cody "Rhodes" Runnels, WWE and Fanatics, which handles WWE's merchandise.
Eisold filed an amended lawsuit against the defendants on 11/1, alleging that he owns the rights to the "American Nightmare" trademark (the name of his band) and came to an agreement with Rhodes when he attempted to trademark the name. That deal, according to the lawsuit, notes, "Eisold allowed Runnels to use (but not register) the Runnels Mark in clothing and apparel on the express condition that the only clothes and apparel that Runnels was allowed to sell had to prominently feature Runnels’ name, Runnels’ name and likeness, or significant indicia of wrestling—which must be 75% or larger than the Runnels Mark."
Eisold's lawsuit states that he and Rhodes entered into that agreement in 2021, including a $30,000 payment to Eisold.
Eisold is alleging that the defendants are selling items that ignore the agreement between Eisold and Rhodes, noting, "The Runnels clothes are brandished with the words “American Nightmare” but do not include Runnels’ name, his name, likeness, or indicia of wrestling (or do so in puny fashion). The counterculture-style clothes often feature a winged skull embossed with the stars and stripes (“Runnels Logo”), a black-and-white winged skull, or various representations of the U.S. flag. . Widespread confusion about Runnels’ use of the Eisold Mark persists among WWE fans and Runnels’ fans. Legions of American Nightmare fans ask Eisold if he endorses Runnels or the wrestler’s use of the Eisold Mark and his image. Eisold’s fans frequently buy the Runnels clothes by accident, Runnels’ fans regularly buy the Eisold clothes by mistake, and fans of both inadvertently make and purchase apparel that mix references to both the band and to Runnels."
The lawsuit alleges, "Eisold’s fans frequently buy the Runnels clothes by accident, Runnels’ fans regularly buy the Eisold clothes by mistake, and fans of both inadvertently make and purchase apparel that mix references to both the band and to Runnels."
Eisold is seeking a jury trial, a judgment against Rhodes that he committed breach of contract, federal trademark infringement, and California trademark infringement, a judgment against Fanatics and WWE "that they have committed inducement of breach of contract, intentional interference with contractual relations, federal trademark infringement, and California trademark infringement under 15
U.S.C. § 1114, California Business & Professional Code section 17200 et seq., and California common law" as well as damages in the amount of $900,000 and an injunction against the defendants to prevent the sale of Rhodes shirts that violate Eisold's trademark as well as attorney's fees and any other relief the court may deem.
None of the defendants have responded to the amended lawsuit as of this writing.
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