Marlon Brando Trustees sue Harley-Davidson for using name

Marlon Brando’s estate executors have filed a suit against Harley-Davidson Motor Company for the unlicensed use of Brando’s name on a line of boots. Brando Enterprises is seeking to recover damages caused by the sales and marketing of the unlicensed boot. The lawsuit says the boots look similar to a pair that Brando wore in the 1953 movie „The Wild One”. The movie mogul says, “The Marlon Brando name is among the most recognized in the world. Only a select few can transcend generations and Marlon Brando is in that rarified group of globally renowned icons.

Marlon Brando died in 2004

“The entire licensing industry is fully aware of the importance attached to protecting a brand – not only from the perspective of the brand owner but also for the benefit of all licensees, retailers and consumers. Brando Enterprises has successfully achieved a number of high-profile licensing partnerships with a broad range of media and retail licensees – all within the specific parameters set forth by the actor himself.”

The estate’s lawyer, Jeffrey Abrams, adds, “It is interesting that Harley-Davidson – a company that is vigorously protective of its own brand – would seek to exploit an iconic property without benefit of a licensing agreement. The flagrant disregard for the law by Harley-Davidson cannot be tolerated. It is our mission to protect the Marlon Brando name and we will pursue any company or individual who infringes on these rights meant to benefit the Brando family.”