The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman is now fighting a zombie and undead-related problems in real life. Apparently, his zombie-themed hit show spawned crafty and opportunistic businesses trying to use the now world famous name The Walking Dead to market various ventures, the latest of which is a restaurant of the same name in New Jersey.
Kirkman filed a lawsuit against Philip Theodorou, Steven Theodorou, and Anna Theodorou citing "unfair competition, trademark dilution and deceptive and unfair trademark practices" according to an article on The Hollywood Reporter written by Eriq Gardner.
The suit comes after the three Theodorou defendants preempted Kirkman in the Trademark Office when the defendants, according to the lawsuit, "have file eleven separate trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to register THE WALKING DEAD and have taken concrete steps to use the mark in commerce by raising money and preparing to open a restaurant in New Jersey under the mark."
Apparently, it is not just Kirkman's show that was targeted by the defendants. According to the article, the Theodorou group likewise filed to register trademarks owned by famous individuals and companies such as Beastie Boys popular song NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN, Donald Trump's MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, National Hockey League BROOKLYN ISLANDERS and United Trademark Holding's ZOMBIE CINDERELLA.
THE WALKING DEAD series enjoyed such popularity that when a survey of 1,300 people was done, a whopping 82 percent confirmed they are aware of the series, according to Charlie Collier, president and general manager of AMC which airs the TV series.
This popularity makes the show the perfect marketing tool to sell anything under the sun according to a TMZ article. The same defendants were reported to be using the show's name to promote candles, carpets, mugs, cigarillos and lipstick.
Still, one couldn't help but wonder if they would have served brains had the restaurant pushed through in its opening.
