Neil Young Hit with Trademark Suit by Luxury Brand Chrome Hearts

LA-based luxury goods company Chrome Hearts has filed a trademark infringement suit against Neil Young over the name of his latest backing band.

The defendants:

• The members of Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, and Young’s Other Shoe Productions.

• Young began playing with the Chrome Hearts last year, and in June they released the album Talkin to the Trees.

The company:

• Chrome Hearts was founded in 1988 and produces fine jewelry, shoes, fragrances and more.

• It has collaborated with musicians such as Drake, Madonna, Rhianna, Cher and Lou Reed.

The suit:

• The plaintiff claims the band’s merchandise infringes on its trademarks.

• The complaint states: “The likelihood of confusion is not merely hypothetical. Some clothing and apparel vendors have apparently already mistakenly assumed that there is a connection between NYTCH and Chrome Hearts, and are actively promoting that purported connection.”

• When, in July this year, Chrome Hearts signaled these IP concerns to Young and his team, they appeared to fall on deaf ears, hence the legal action.

• As per Digital Music News, Chrome Hearts is seeking “the profits stemming from the alleged infringement” and an order preventing the band from using the name.