- Jelly Roll is facing a trademark infringement lawsuit from a Pennsylvania-based dance band named Jellyroll, led by Kurt L. Titchenell.
- The band Jellyroll has been using the name since March 1980 and secured a trademark in August 2010, which was renewed in December 2019.
- The lawsuit alleges that Jelly Roll’s rise in notoriety has significantly impacted the band’s online exposure, with search engines prioritizing his results over theirs.
Jelly Roll, the country star, is facing a trademark infringement lawsuit from a Pennsylvania-based band named Jellyroll. The lawsuit was filed by Kurt L. Titchenell, who has been performing under the name Jellyroll since 1980 and holds a trademark for the name since 2010, with the most recent renewal in 2019.
The suit seeks injunctive relief to stop Jelly Roll from using the name going forward, arguing that his rise in popularity has caused confusion in the marketplace and damaged Jellyroll’s ability to get their name out there.
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The lawsuit highlights that before Jelly Roll’s recent surge in notoriety, a search for “Jellyroll” on search engines primarily returned references to the band. However, with Jelly Roll’s increased fame, search results now show multiple references to the country star before any mention of the band. The suit also points out that Jelly Roll’s announcement of a tour, including shows in the Northeast, used the name that is allegedly infringing on Jellyroll’s trademark.
Despite attempts by Titchenell’s lawyers to send a cease-and-desist letter to Jelly Roll, the country star’s lawyers responded with inquiries about whether Jellyroll was in competition with Jelly Roll. The lawsuit further alleges that Jelly Roll and his lawyers ignored the cease-and-desist letter, leading to the filing of the complaint.
The band has faced issues with social media accounts, search engine optimization, Google Ads, and overall brand recognition due to the confusion caused by Jelly Roll’s use of the name. The suit emphasizes the band’s efforts to clarify that the original JELLYROLL® is not part of events associated with Jelly Roll, such as the Philadelphia Jingle Ball, to avoid further confusion among their fan base.
The legal battle between Jelly Roll and Jellyroll is a complex case that highlights the challenges of trademark infringement in the music industry, where names and monikers can be closely tied to personal identity and professional branding. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for both parties, affecting their ability to use their names professionally and potentially influencing future legal precedents in the music industry.
