Fox Sues Empire Distribution INC. To Keep The Name For Hit T.V Series "Empire"

Fox Sues Empire Distribution INC. To Keep
The Name For Hit T.V Series "Empire"

BHR Hollywood Reports.....FOX’s new hit, hip-hop show “Empire” was a ratings juggernaut this season, but not everyone is a fan.

The show follows the ups and downs of fictional record label Empire Entertainment, and now, the real life Empire Distribution claims that Luscious Lyon’s house of hits is infringing on its trademark.

Empire Distribution INC.

The record label Empire Distribution Inc. is a California corporation that claims rights to the Empire name. Empire Distribution and Empire Recordings sent Fox a demand letter.

The letter asks for $8 million in damages or $5 million and that Fox cast several of its artists in the series.

Empire

 The demand letter also claims that the “Empire” series, which portrays “A label run by a homophobic drug dealer prone to murdering his friends,” tarnished the trademark image of the company.

 Among the signed artists for Empire Distribution are Kendrick Lamar, N.O.R.E. and Sean Paul.

In response, Fox sued and refuses to pay any money.

Lawyers for Fox have stated that the defendant never applied for a federal trademark registration for the name.

 The lawsuit seeks to protect the intellectual property rights of “Empire” and its offshoot, Soundtrack Music.