GREAT WHITE Suing California Club For 'Trademark Infringement'

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Veteran rock band GREAT WHITE has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the owner of the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, California. GREAT WHITE's former singer, Jack Russell, is set to perform at the Canyon Club under the name "JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE" (as he is allowed to do), but the show is being promoted as "GREAT WHITE" on a sign overlooking the very busy 101 Freeway. The Canyon Club was notified but did not change the sign. Russell is not named in the suit, nor is it claimed he has done anything improper. Russell and GREAT WHITE had been in litigation earlier this year over the band name, and they reached an agreement whereby GREAT WHITE maintained use of the name, and Russell could call his band "JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE" under certain conditions.GREAT WHITE attorney Eric Bjorgum of Karish & Bjorgum said: "We reached this agreement with Jack Russell so that each band could carry on without public confusion. The agreement is unique, and it requires some diligence from everyone involved. Our main concern is that fans who spend their money know what band they are seeing. Obviously, that doesn't happen if a club decides to promote 'JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE' as simply 'GREAT WHITE'. It is worse when the advertisement is on a busy freeway in our own backyard. We've had friends and sponsors calling us to ask about the show. My clients own the name GREAT WHITE free and clear, and they will be doing everything in their power to protect it."

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