Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Clear ChannelOne would think that Lady Gaga owns "Lady Gaga."
But a Nevada company has tried to trademark both the famous moniker and "Lady Gaga LG" to use on cosmetics and accessories—and the Lady isn't having it, according to a lawsuit filed by the pop superstar under her real name, Stefani Germanotta.
Hey, if you poke the Fame Monster, she's going to show her teeth.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in New York Supreme Court and obtained by E! News, charges that Excite Worldwide LLC filed "frivolous applications" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that hinder Lady Gaga's own business interests.
Even though the company knows they'll never be granted said trademarks, they continue to try to "squat" on Gaga's rights to her own name, "knowing that their applications in and of themselves are thwarting [her] further attempts to register [her] marks in other contexts," the complaint states.
The attempts to captialize on Gaga's success will never be granted without the "internationally renowned" singer's permission, the suit further contends in requesting that Excite Worldwide pull its applications immediately. (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records show that the applications have not been approved.)
For throwing this wrench into her plan for world domination, Gaga is also asking for unspecified damages, alleging unfair competition and false designation of origin, unjust enrichment, interference with prospective economic advantage.