The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have filed a lawsuit against Distinctive Assets for using the Oscar trademark name to "raise the profile of its 'gift bags' and falsely create the impression of association, affiliation, connection, sponsorship and/or endorsement" and names the company's founder, Lash Fary as a defendant.
The Academy argues that the company was deliberately misleading media organizations and news articles with slogans like: "Everyone Wins Nominee Gift Bags in Honor of the Oscars®." The Academy says the use of the trademark symbol is an attempt to imply an official connection between the Oscars and the contents of the swag bag.
@BrightonBDS @Variety Yeah, send your kids to a conflict zone. bet the parents are queuing up..!
— Dr. Tom Greenmantle (@DrGreenmantle) February 17, 2016
The lawsuit is calling for a federal judge to prevent Lash Fary from using the Oscar trademark in future and is seeking compensation for damages — three times the amount of his profits — as well as the Academy's legal fees.
Meanwhile, those US$200,000 swag bags — could get even more expensive.
