Iron Maiden Think You’re Too Dumb to Tell Between Their Merch and a Lingerie Line
Copyright law is a confusing behemoth and I’m mostly qualified to report on metal drama, but this one seems a little absurd. Heavy metal institution Iron Maiden are taking action to block the copyright for a new US brand that will sell bras, panties, corsets, shapewear and lingerie. The reason? The new brand is called Maiden Wear.
Last week, Iron Maiden submitted a filing with the US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, citing that Maiden Wear’s name is “confusingly similar in appearance and connotation to opposer’s Iron Maiden mark.”
From the filing:
“The dominant term in applicant’s Maiden Wear mark is Maiden and therefore the mark is confusingly similar in appearance and connotation to opposer’s Iron Maiden mark.
“Moreover, the goods set forth in the Maiden Wear application are related to or the same as goods covered by the Iron Maiden registration and/or for which opposer has acquired common law rights in the United States.
“Thus, applicant’s Maiden Wear mark, when used in connection with the goods described in the Maiden Wear application, is likely to deceive or cause consumer confusion or mistake among members of the public and potential purchasers as to the source, sponsorship or composition of applicant’s goods in relation to opposer’s goods. Such confusion will damage opposer and injure its reputation in the trade and with the public”.
The Iron Maiden store is selling boxers—not exactly the same thing as lingerie or shapewear, but Bruce Dickinson has been known to hate fun. As Consequence points out, women’s underwear company Maidenform—which has existed since 1922, far longer than Iron Maiden—has never had an issue with the band before.
Iron Maiden kick off a lengthy tour later this month.
MAY 28 ARENA STOZICE, LJUBLJANA SLOVENIA *
MAY 30 O2 ARENA, PRAGUE CZECH REPUBLIC *
MAY 31 O2 ARENA, PRAGUE CZECH REPUBLIC *
JUN 3 NOKIA ARENA, TAMPERE FINLAND **
JUN 4 NOKIA ARENA, TAMPERE FINLAND *
JUN 7 KOENGEN, BERGEN NORWAY *
JUN 9 SWEDEN ROCK FESTIVAL, SOLVESBORG SWEDEN *
JUN 11 QUARTERBACK IMMOBILIEN ARENA, LEIPZIG GERMANY *
JUN 13 TAURON ARENA, KRAKOW POLAND *
JUN 14 TAURON ARENA, KRAKOW POLAND *
JUN 17 HELLFEST, CLISSON FRANCE
JUN 19 HALLENSTADION, ZURICH SWITZERLAND *
JUN 21 ZAG ARENA, HANNOVER GERMANY *
JUN 24 3 ARENA, DUBLIN IRELAND **
JUN 26 OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW SCOTLAND **
JUN 28 FIRST DIRECT ARENA, LEEDS ENGLAND **
JUN 30 AO ARENA, MANCHESTER ENGLAND **
JUL 03 MOTORPOINT ARENA, NOTTINGHAM ENGLAND **
JUL 04 UTILITA ARENA, BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND **
JUL 07 O2 ARENA, LONDON ENGLAND **
JUL 08 O2 ARENA, LONDON ENGLAND *
JUL 11 ZIGGO DOME, AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS *
JUL 13 SPORTPALEIS, ANTWERP BELGIUM *
JUL 15 THE RETURN OF THE GODS FESTIVAL, MILAN ITALY
JUL 18 PALAU SANT JORDI, BARCELONA SPAIN *
JUL 20 ESTADIO ENRIQUE ROCA, MURCIA SPAIN *
JUL 22 BIZKAIA ARENA BEC, BILBAO SPAIN *
JUL 25 WESTFALENHALLE, DORTMUND GERMANY *
JUL 26 WESTFALENHALLE, DORTMUND GERMANY **
JUL 29 FESTHALLE, FRANKFURT GERMANY *
JUL 31 OLYMPIAHALLE, MUNICH GERMANY *
AUG 1 OLYMPIAHALLE, MUNICH GERMANY **
AUG 2-5 WACKEN OPEN AIR FESTIVAL GERMANY
* The Raven Age support
** Lord Of The Lost support
SEPT 28 SCOTIABANK SADDLEDOME, CALGARY CANADA
SEPT 30 ROGERS PLACE, EDMONTON CANADA
OCT 2 ROGERS ARENA, VANCOUVER CANADA
OCT 6 POWER TRIP, COACHELLA USA
