The hits simply carry on coming over on the Nationwide Bike Museum in Anamosa, Iowa. In January 2023, the museum introduced that it could formally be closing its doorways for the ultimate time later this yr, in September. Monetary struggles have been cited as a cause, mixed with low visitation to the museum—two issues that sadly go hand in hand.
On Monday, April 17, 2023, the beleaguered museum acquired an additional (metaphorical) punch; this time, within the type of a lawsuit. A trademark case was filed within the Iowa Northern District Courtroom, with the title “Okay & Okay Promotions, Inc v. The Nationwide Bike Museum.” Why the lawsuit, and what does any of this imply?
As you might recall from its lawsuit towards Disney over the character of Duke Caboom in Toy Story 4, Okay & Okay Productions Inc is the corporate of Evel Knievel’s son, Kelly. Again in 2020, Okay & Okay Productions, Inc sued Disney, Pixar, and associated firms over what it claimed was mental property rights infringement over the character. Nevertheless, in September 2021, a Nevada federal courtroom decide discovered that the character didn’t infringe on the rights claimed and dismissed the case.
Relating to Okay & Okay Productions, Inc’s lawsuit towards the Nationwide Bike Museum, the plaintiff (Okay & Okay Productions) alleges trademark infringement as soon as once more, this time associated on to Evel Knievel and his likeness. Okay & Okay Productions, which can be liable for the one and solely official Evel Knievel Museum, claims unique possession of Evel Knievel’s likeness.
The Nationwide Bike Museum has utilized photos of Knievel in its promotion, and likewise painted and displayed a reproduction motorcycle to appear to be one which Knievel used. Based on the Iowa Capital Dispatch, it has additionally featured a reproduction of a stunt rocket that Knievel utilized in his failed 1974 Snake River Canyon leap.
Okay & Okay Productions additionally takes difficulty with the Nationwide Bike Museum’s sale of Evel Knievel-related merchandise in its reward store. It’s claiming losses of a minimum of $75,000, in addition to “irreparable harm to its enterprise and popularity.”
The case was filed on Monday, April 17, 2023. A summons was issued to the Nationwide Bike Museum on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, however as of the morning of April 20, it has not but filed a response. The museum advised native information shops that it has pulled its Knievel-related objects from show.
Whereas the NMM does cost an admission payment, it’s maybe price noting that it’s chartered as a 501(c)3 non-profit company and isn’t a personal museum. It’s not clear what bearing (if any) this may occasionally have on this litigation, nevertheless.
