Mariah Carey Moves Trademark ‘Queen of Christmas,’ Legal Battles May Begin
Mariah Carey has trademarked the title “Queen of Christmas” but it hasn’t landed well with other notable holiday music artists Darlene Love and Elizabeth Chan and it may result in an upcoming legal battle. Despite her classic 1994 hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” the songstress might find herself in the middle of legal woes.
According to Variety, Chan was once called the “Queen of Christmas” and chose to file a formal declaration of opposition against Carey. In the filing, the singer pointed out that “Carey has said in interviews that she doesn’t want the title.”
“Christmas has come way before any of us on earth, and hopefully will be around way after any of us on earth,” Chan said. “And I feel very strongly that no one person should hold onto anything around Christmas or monopolize it in the way that Mariah seeks to in perpetuity. That’s just not the right thing to do. Christmas is for everyone. It’s meant to be shared; it’s not meant to be owned.”
She continued: “And it’s not just about the music business. She’s trying to trademark this in every imaginable way — clothing, liquor products, masks, dog collars — it’s all over the map. If you knit a ‘queen of Christmas’ sweater, you should be able to sell it on Etsy to somebody else so they can buy it for their grandma. It’s crazy — it would have that breadth of registration.”
Love is known for her Christmas hits that have spanned over six decades including her album Queen of Christmas. She also releases new hits yearly just in time for the holidays but with the new trademark, Love finds herself stuck on how to move forward.
“Is it true that Mariah Carey trademarked ‘Queen of Christmas’?” Love wrote via Facebook. “What does that mean, that I can’t use that title? David Letterman officially declared me the Queen of Christmas 29 years ago, a year before she released ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ and at 81 years of age I’m NOT changing anything. I’ve been in the business for 52 years, have earned it and can still hit those notes! If Mariah has a problem call David or my lawyer!!”
Carey’s representatives have not yet responded.
