Family of John Wayne Fights with Duke University Over Name
Wayne’s heirs want to market a new brand of bourbon called Duke but the school worries it will tarnish their image.
FOX News reported.
John Wayne heirs sue university over the name Duke
John Wayne’s heirs are taking Duke University to court over the family’s right to market bottles of bourbon branded with the late movie star’s nickname, Duke.
A federal lawsuit filed last week is the latest salvo in a long-running legal duel between the North Carolina university and California-based John Wayne Enterprises over commercial products featuring the name. The late actor used the moniker since childhood, when he adopted the name of the family dog.
Lawyers for the university say allowing the Wayne estate to use the name could cause confusion and “diminish, dilute and tarnish” the value of the name, for which both parties hold trademarks.
A message seeking comment from the John Wayne Enterprises was not immediately returned.
The proposed bourbon label would feature an image of Wayne holding a rifle with “Duke” emblazoned over it in bold letters and the phrase “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do,” according to court filings.
“Duke University does not own the word ‘Duke’ in all contests and purposes,” the family’s lawyers said in the lawsuit. “Duke is a common word that has been used for centuries in a wide array of commercial and other applications wholly independent of Duke University. Yet by the actions alleged herein, Duke University seems to think it owns the word ‘Duke’ for all purposes and applications.”
Comments
“Lawyers for the university say allowing the Wayne estate to use the name could cause confusion and “diminish, dilute and tarnish” the value of the name”
I suspect people respect John Wayne more than they respect the University.
Don’t cross the Duke, everyone knows that…
They say having a liquor named Duke will “diminish, dilute and tarnish” their good name.
Um, what good name? After the false accusation fiasco and their unrepentant attitude, they’re already tarnished and have never done anything to fix their star chamber.
Good point. The same people who tried to destroy the lives of their own students still have highly-paid jobs and benefits, and, apparently, the arrogance and power to try to harass the heirs of John Wayne.
A truly sickening group that maintains control over the lives of young adults.
They also have their university beholden to the Duke family, which made their money in Tobacco. By today’s university standards, tobacco is worse than crack, meth and the ebola virus.
Between the Lacrosse case and Belle Knox, there is not a lot for Duke U to salvage here (reputation wise).
Duke even sucked during March Madness this year.
In this whole Duking it out thing, Duke University (originally Trinity College) got its name from a generous donation from Doris Duke’s Dad.
Which he made by selling (cue the ominous music) Tobacco. Tobacco money! And they are worried about whiskey sullying their reputation?
In related Dukedom, Doris Duke also had a thing in her youth for legendary Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku.
Since Washington and Lee University is going to apologize over slavery, I think Duke University needs to apologize for taking dirty Tobacco money!
I thought the Duke’s made their money from Moonshine.
Next they will go after Gene Chandler and the Dukays for residuals from Duke of Earl.