Lady A—Newly-Renamed From Lady Antebellum—Sues Singer Lady A Over Trademark Use
Image via Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
Country band Lady A, formerly known as Lady Antebellum, is suing blues singer Anita “Lady A” White for the sole custody of the name Lady A.
The band announced the change of name last month due to the “Antebellum” term’s ties with slavery amid anti-racism protests across the US. According to Billboard, the band also reasoned that it had trademarked the name since 2010.
The lawsuit was filed in response to White’s attempt of “[enforcing] purported trademarks rights in a mark that Plaintiffs have held for more than a decade.” White has been using the moniker Lady A for over 20 years, according to her website.
She told Rolling Stone that she is not planning to change her name for the band as she believes they only changed it “because of a Black Lives Matter incident that, for them, is just a moment in time.”
The band and White had discussed the matter over a video conference previously. The band members, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and David Haywood, posted a tweet stating that the outcome from the video call was to find “positive solutions” and “common ground.”
The members later revealed, per Billboard, that White and her team “have demanded a US$10 million payment,” which drove them to file the lawsuit.
The band explained that it has used the Lady A name over the years, including on its website from 2008. Billboard reported that the band trademarked the name Lady A for entertainment purposes back in 2010 and it was registered officially in 2011.
The country music group said it does not wish to prevent White from using the Lady A name, and is not looking for any monetary compensation from White for using the trademarked moniker while performing.
“We never even entertained the idea that she shouldn’t also be able to use the name Lady A, and never will,” the band’s statement read.
No Weapon formed against me shall prosper #LadyABluesSoulFunkGospelArtist #TheRealLadyA pic.twitter.com/KBYGnlw6Lw
— Lady A (@ladiawhite) July 8, 2020
Today, we connected privately with the artist Lady A. Transparent, honest, and authentic conversations were had. We are excited to share we are moving forward with positive solutions and common ground. The hurt is turning into hope. More to come.#LadyABluesSoulFunkGospelArtist pic.twitter.com/P3uyhfO3gX
— Lady A (@ladya) June 15, 2020
[via Vulture, cover image via Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com]
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