Van Halen brothers settle trademark infringement suit

Van Halen have settled a lawsuit with the ex-wife of drummer Alex Van Halen after the bandmates accused her of infringing on their trademark by using her married name as the title for her interior design company. Alex and brother Eddie sued Kelly Van Halen in 2013, claiming her company diluted the band’s brand and created unfair competition.
Kelly and Alex divorced in 1996 but she reportedly filed two trademark applications under her married name for products like chairs, children’s blankets and interior design services.
The brothers and partners at their holding company, ELVH, Inc., argued Kelly’s use of the name was “confusingly similar” to the band’s.
On Monday (05Jan15), attorneys for both Van Halen parties informed a judge that the lawsuit should be dismissed, and Kelly’s attorney, Daniel DeCarlos, tells The Hollywood Reporter it has been agreed she can use her full name for her businesses, but she has agreed not to get involved in any music-related services that might cause consumer confusion.