We’ve all seen counterfeit merchandise at major tours and festivals. In fact, many of us are guilty of owning one of these at some point in our lives. However, we’ve also noticed how much they shrink in the wash, as well as losing the print fading and being aware that the proceeds do not go to the band. According to Northern California Record, Slayer’s merchandising company, Global Merchandising Services, has filed a lawsuit against bootleggers of T-shirts and other items during the band’s farewell tour.
The company asked the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California to have local law enforcement to crack down on these counterfeiters selling merchandise outside San Diego’s Valley View Casino Center on May 10th. The company filed this complaint for trademark infringement as it stated:
“numerous independent unlicensed peddlers and manufacturing and distributing companies.”
The complaint stated that the defendants were going:
“to sell or hold for sale outside of and within the confines of the concert halls at which Slayer is performing before, during or after Slayer concert performances.”
The complaint also revealed:
“To date, more than $25 million worth of licensed merchandise bearing the Slayer name, trademark, logos and/or likenesses have been sold.”
Later, the filing reported that the bootleggers:
“deceives the public as to the origin and sponsorship of such merchandise; wrongfully trades upon and cashes in on plaintiff’s and Slayer’s reputations, commercial value and exclusive rights in the Slayer trademark; and it irreparably harms and injures Slayer’s and plaintiff’s reputations.”
