LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - Feb 6, 2012) - Brando Enterprises, LP, the owner of all intellectual property rights of the late film legend Marlon Brando, has been awarded a judgment of $356,000 in its federal lawsuit against Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. for unauthorized sale of a line of furniture products under the 'Brando' name.
Brando Enterprises filed the action in June 23, 2011 alleging violation of California's post-mortem right of publicity statute and trademark infringement. The case proceeded before Judge Dolly M. Gee in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Established in part to protect the Marlon Brando name, likeness and personality on behalf of the Brando family, Brando Enterprises is overseen by Brando Trust co-trustees Mike Medavoy, Chairman of Phoenix Entertainment, accountant and business manager Larry Dressler and Avra Douglas, a family friend.
"Obviously we are very pleased with the result," stated Larry Dressler of Brando Enterprises. "The judgment sends a clear message that infringers of Marlon Brando's name and image will be pursued to the fullest extent, and forced to pay substantial damages."
"Pursuing licensing opportunities, while guarding against unauthorized use of their brands, are the two core objectives in representing the estates of classic and legendary celebrities such as Marlon Brando. We are pleased with the outcome of the settlement and will continue to focus on both protecting the Marlon Brando brand while proactively engaging with companies seeking to license his iconic name," said Jeffrey Abrams, an entertainment attorney at Wolf Rifkin Shapiro Schulman & Rabkin LLP in Los Angeles, California, who also serves as the Legacy Manager for Brando Enterprises.
Brando Enterprises was represented in the lawsuit by trial attorney, Charles J. Harder, of Wolf Rifkin Shapiro Schulman & Rabkin LLP in Los Angeles, California.
About Brando Enterprises
Brando Enterprises is a an operating entity created by the Marlon Brando Living Trust to manage core business interests including Brando licensing activities, preservation and archiving of Brando memorabilia in preparation for future exploitation and film participation and represent the Brando Trust's continuing commitment to maximizing opportunities on behalf of the beneficiaries according to Marlon's wishes as set forth in his Trust documents. The Brando Trustees include motion picture producer and former studio executive Mike Medavoy, accountant and business management executive Larry Dressler and Avra Douglas, a close family friend who also served as an executive assistant and creative development executive with the famed actor.
About the Firm
Founded in 1977, Wolf, Rifkin, Shapiro, Schulman & Rabkin LLP is a full service litigation and corporate transactional law firm based in Los Angeles, with offices also in Las Vegas and Reno. The firm's Entertainment/Intellectual Property Litigation Department represents celebrities, celebrity estates, independent film and television producers, and intellectual property rights holders, in a wide spectrum of entertainment and IP litigation matters.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
SSA Public Relations
Steve Syatt
(818) 907-0500