Mariah Carey is officially not the ‘Queen of Christmas’ after losing bitter trademark bid
Mariah Carey’s application to trademark “Queen of Christmas” has been denied. (Getty Images)
It’s official – Mariah Carey is not the “Queen of Christmas” after losing a legal bid to trademark the phrase.
The diva’s bid to trademark the titles “Queen of Christmas”, “Princess of Christmas” and “QOC” was labelled “trademark bullying” by an attorney.
However, singer Elizabeth Chan, who makes music specifically for Christmas and Thanksgiving, has been given the green light to use the titles.
The US Trademark Trial and Appeal Board ruled against the pop icon’s request to legally trademark the names on Tuesday, (15 November).
Chan, who has released 12 Christmas albums to date and uses the title “Princess of Christmas” for her five-year-old daughter Noelle, opposed Carey’s bid to secure the festive titles earlier this year.
Darlene Love, who sang Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) also opposed the 52-year-old’s bid.
Mariah Carey attempted to trademark the Queen of Christmas title via her company – Lotion LLC – in the hope of using the name on merchandise such as albums, fragrances and pet accessories.
Mariah Carey’s case labelled ‘trademark bullying’
Chan’s attorney Louis Tompros of WilmerHale said: “This was a classic case of trademark bullying.
“We are pleased with the victory, and delighted that we were able to help Elizabeth fight back against Carey’s overreaching trademark registrations.”
Chan said she opposed Carey’s request “to protect and save Christmas.”
“Christmas isn’t about one single person – it’s about everybody.
“I’ve dedicated my life to this understanding of how special Christmas is. It was difficult to be the one to stand up against Carey in the name of the holiday,” Chan told Page Six.
Chan said it is “wrong for an individual to attempt to own and monopolize a nickname like Queen of Christmas for the purposes of abject materialism”.
“As an independent artist and small business owner, my life’s work is to bring people together for the holiday season, which is how I came to be called the Queen of Christmas.
“My goal in taking on this fight was to stand up to trademark bullying not just to protect myself, but also to protect future Queens of Christmas.”
According to The Wall Street Journal the Patent and Trademark office said Carey’s side didn’t respond to Chan’s opposition, and so Carey wouldn’t get the trademark.
It follows Carey being sued millions for copyright over her 1994 mega-hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You”.
Click here to join our new PinkNews Alerts WhatsApp group for daily digests of our top LGBTQ+ news and features.
How did this story make you feel?
