LOS
ANGELES, March 28, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday March 26,
2024, DeLorean Motor Company, represented by intellectual
property and entertainment attorney, Roger
N. Behle, Jr. of Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis, filed
documents in California federal
court announcing the settlement of DeLorean Motor Company's lawsuit
against NBCUniversal Media, LLC. over unpaid royalties and
unauthorized use of the DeLorean trademarks for merchandising and
commercial tie-ups involving the iconic DeLorean sports car from
the "Back to the Future" film franchise.
DeLorean Motor Company filed the lawsuit against
NBCUniversal Media, LLC. in October of 2022, alleging various
claims, including trademark and trade dress infringement. In
addition to the "Back to the Future" films, the lawsuit noted the
appearance of the DeLorean car and trademarks in the film "Ready
Player One" as well as the "Back to the Future" rides at Universal
Studios theme parks, and in various media, advertising, and
merchandise offerings including apparel, art, books, games, media,
novelties, collectibles, prop replicas, and toys. After federal
judge David O. Carter denied
NBCUniversal's bid to dismiss the case on summary judgment, the
case was scheduled to proceed to trial on April 2, 2024. However, shortly before trial,
documents were filed with the court announcing the settlement.
CEO of DeLorean Motor Company, Stephen Wynne shares, "For decades, we have gone
to great lengths to protect the DeLorean brand. Universal hired us
back in the 1980s to make sure the DeLorean cars used in the second
and third "Back to the Future" films were running in tip-top shape.
So, needless to say, it was unsettling to find ourselves at odds
with NBCUniversal over their use of our DeLorean trademarks; but I
am glad that is behind us now. While I can't talk about the terms
of the settlement, I am looking forward to the greater
collaborations in store between DeLorean Motor Company and
NBCUniversal ahead."
DeLorean Motor Company was formed by Stephen Wynne and is based in suburban
Houston, Texas. DeLorean Motor
Company is the owner of multiple DeLorean-related trademarks and
service mark registrations in multiple countries around the world,
and also owns the trade dress for the iconic DeLorean car
design.
According to DeLorean attorney Roger Behle, "This was a long haul, but I am
pleased that we were able to achieve a just outcome for our client.
The entire team at Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis contributed,
including attorneys Kevin Gamarnik,
Jordan Liebman and Luis Saenz. The terms of the settlement are
confidential. However, suffice it to say that you will continue to
see DeLorean cars and trademarks featured in "Back to the Future"
merchandise in the future."
ABOUT ROGER N. BEHLE
JR.
Roger N. Behle, Jr., a partner at
Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis, heads the firm's intellectual
property and entertainment law departments. Roger brings more than
twenty years' litigation experience to the firm and has tried
multiple federal and state jury trials through verdict, including
nationally publicized cases involving copyright infringement,
trademark infringement, trade secrets, breach of contract,
fraud and related claims. Roger has represented
clients in the motion picture, television, music, art, advertising,
apparel, toy and technology industries, as well as related
businesses such as broadcasting, book publishing, and professional
sports licensing, including many notable names like NBA legend
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, among many others.
When he is not practicing law, Roger takes pride
in being an established musician with a long standing
professional career as a guitarist. Back in the 1980s, he played
with pop icon Stacey Q (known for her hit "Two of Hearts") and
recently began touring with her again after more than 35 years.
ABOUT DELOREAN MOTOR CO.
Wynne's DeLorean Motor Company is the caretaker of the
DeLorean brand and serves the thousands of DeLorean
car owners (and future owners) around the world. With three
parts, service, and sales locations - Houston, Texas, Orlando, Florida and Huntington Beach, California - along with
their more than 3.5 million new, original, and reproduction parts
ensure that all DeLorean cars - time travelers or not
- can be driven and enjoyed by the generations to come.
As an aggressive defender around the world of its
rights in the DeLorean brand, DeLorean Motor Company hopes this
case will give pause to potential infringers of DeLorean Motor
Company intellectual property. Find out more information about the
1981-1983 DeLorean at https://www.classicdmc.com and DeLorean Motor
Company's intellectual property/branding program at
https://www.dmcbrand.com.
Press Contact:
Eda Kalkay
(212) 877-5551
Eda@EdaKalkay.com
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SOURCE Foley Bezek Behle & Curtis