US: New York party promoter banned from using phrase ‘NYC Pride’
A New York party promoter has been banned from using the phrase ‘NYC Pride’ in its advertising, following legal action from the city’s pride parade organisers.
Heritage of Pride (HOP), which runs the annual New York pride parade, had launched legal action against Matinee NYC and Voss NYC over their use of the phrase ‘NYC Pride’.
US District Judge Colleen McMahon found in favour of HOP, and issued an injunction which prevents the promoter from using HOP’s trademarks, trade names and logos in connections of events during New York’s pride season.
The injunction restricts the promoters from advertising their events as ‘NYC Pride’.
Promoter Brandon Voss said in a statement: “It is absurd that any organization should own the word Pride used next to the name of our city. Especially one that is using this as a tactic to funnel revenue to itself by demanding fees for the right to call themselves ‘official’ events.
“While Heritage of Pride touts itself as a non-profit and charitable organization, it has publicly admitted that it gives only 10% of net income to charity. Per public court filings, that amounted to only a few thousand dollars in 2012.
“Pride is an inclusive, fluid and intangible movement, especially in its birthplace of New York City. Pride is for everyone and is the property of no one.”
Chris Frederick, Managing Director of NYC Pride, said: “Although NYC Pride had hoped to resolve this matter without having to resort to legal action, we are grateful to the Court for its decision and pleased that we have been able to protect the NYC Pride trademarks during the key Pride Week period.”
