Renowned DJ John Summit finds himself in a trademark dispute over “Off the Grid”. On one side is Summit, whose label bears the same name; on the other Mikey, who owns “Off the Grid Campout”, a growing underground music event that began in 2015. Summit has voiced his concerns on social media, expressing annoyance over a cease and desist order he received. According to the DJ, he painstakingly built the “Off the Grid” brand, suggesting the legal action taken against him directly hit his reputation.
However, Mikey Cromie, the owner of “Off the Grid Campout”, provided a different account of the matter in a recent Facebook post. In his post, Mikey claimed that he attempted to contact Summit’s team over a year with no response, leading him to resort to legal intervention. He clarified that he did not initiate a lawsuit or demand a seven-figure sum but merely asked Summit to cease using the disputed name.
According to Mikey, his attorneys’ cease and desist notice finally elicited a response from Summit’s management team. They proposed coexisting with the same brand name, an offer Mikey declined due to the damage already caused. When Summit’s team suggested buying the name, Mikey insisted that he would only consider selling if the offer was “life changing money” – an amount the team was unwilling to spend.
Mikey’s Facebook post paints a picture of a smaller entity attempting to protect a brand he worked hard to build, only to be met with negative responses from Summit’s community. He alleged that he has been bullied and faced with numerous hateful messages, which led to one of his accounts being taken down.
It’s important to note that both parties have a considerable investment in the “Off the Grid” brand. Regardless, the crux of the matter lies in who has the legal right to use the name, which will require resolution through proper legal channels. Meanwhile, this unfolding controversy serves as a potent reminder for businesses and individuals alike about the importance of legally safeguarding their brand names from the onset to prevent such conflicts.
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