Beyoncé sues fashion brand that dared joke on her
Get in formation. You do not get to profit off of Queen Bey.
At least, that's the message Beyoncé is sending to a business based out of San Antonio called Feyoncé Inc. The singer sued the company on Tuesday for allegedly selling merchandise that profited off her trademarked name.
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The suit was filed in Manhattan federal court and names Feyoncé and three individuals, seeking "unspecified damages," according to Reuters.
Feyoncé is best known for selling bridesmaids' apparel and celebratory engagement merchandise that plays off Beyoncé's 2008 hit single, "Single Ladies." And of course, the word "Feyoncé" is an obvious pun on the artist's name.
The apparel includes hoodies, shirts and mugs that say "He put a ring on it," an homage to the famous lyrics.
"Defendants adopted the Feyoncé mark to call to mind Beyoncé and her famous song," the lawsuit reads. "Defendants' conduct described herein is intentional, fraudulent, malicious, willful and wanton."
The store attempted to trademark the word "Feyoncé" twice, both with and without the accent over the "e," according to Beyoncé's lawyers.
The shop isn't alone in its use of the name Feyoncé. A search through Facebook showed two other businesses. One is called Feyonce & Co, a party planning business based in Sherman Oaks, California. The other, a British blog, Feyonce.co.uk, is all about weddings. It claims it is "the UK's No. 1 wedding blog filled with ideas, styles and DIY wedding tips."
Browsing through Amazon shows that multiple retailers have also emblazoned "He put a ring on it" on mugs, including a business called Love You a Latte Shop.
Beyoncé's camp has not indicated plans to address potential infringements by other businesses.
The San Antonio defendants did not respond to Mashable's request for comment.
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David joined the Mashable team as its first fashion hire. He's written for the Wall Street Journal, Elle, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Details, Nylon, Refinery29, Fashionista, and covered the men's market at Women's Wear Daily. David has appeared on E!, Vh1, the Style network, and was a stylist at Capitol records.
