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Yes, Eminem Really Is Fighting With These Real Housewives!

Eminem Is Locked In A Legal Battle With Two Real Housewives Stars Over Trademark Trouble!

Eminem is fighting off a trademark application from two Real Housewives of Potomac stars over the name of their podcast, because he doesn’t want people to confuse it with his own shiz!

According to a new report from ET published on Tuesday afternoon, the 50-year-old rapper is locked a legal battle with RHOP personalities Gizelle Bryant (above, top right) and Robyn Dixon (bottom right) over the development of their Reasonably Shady podcast. The two Bravo stars have been trying to trademark that podcast name for months now in order to sell merch to their listeners and brand themselves in that lifestyle space. But the Slim Shady rapper is attempting to put the brakes on that new business venture!!

Related: Congratulations To Eminem’s Daughter And Her New Fiancé!!

Per that news outlet, court docs indicate Bryant and Dixon are trying to trademark the term “Reasonably Shady” in order to be able to “sell makeup, candles, drinkware, clothing, and more.” The pair’s collective profile has risen quite a bit recently on RHOP, and it’s clear they are intending to capitalize on the new attention they are getting from reality TV fans.

Eminem is countering with the fact that he owns the “Shady” and “Slim Shady” trademarks in parallel business and entertainment industry spaces. Besides, his legal team claims in the filing, Em has been known by those monikers throughout his long and illustrious rap career. That’s not up for debate. That’s just fact! But will it be enough to prevent the “Reasonably Shady” mark from being pushed through?

In his lawsuit filing, Eminem — whose real name is Marshall Mathers III — is arguing his brand will be “damaged” if Bryant and Dixon’s application is approved. He is worried that any new “Reasonably Shady” trademark would “cause confusion in the minds of consumers” who have tracked his “Slim Shady” moniker since he first locked it up waaaaay back in 1996. Per ET, his court filing claims the Michigan-born rapper has “invested a substantial amount of time, effort and money in promoting” the shady brand. Which, again, yeah! We don’t doubt it!

It’ll be interesting to see if the rapper can keep the two reality TV stars from going forward with their push. Mandour & Associates, an intellectual property law firm in California which does not represent either party, analyzed the case after it hit the news on Tuesday. According to that firm, in order to prove trademark infringement, Eminem “must show that a likelihood of consumer confusion exists.” As the firm notes, that may be hard to prove since Slim Shady and Reasonably Shady are in very different business spaces. Plus, the firm reveals, there are active trademarks being held for other similar terms including “Super Shady, Shady Baby, Stay Shady, and dozens of other registrations for clothing, toys, beer and more.”

Damn…

Eminem has one other avenue, though. Mandour notes the rapper could base his opposition on the potential “trademark dilution” that could occur to his brand if Reasonably Shady is accepted by the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. To make that claim, Mathers must prove the RHOP stars’ registration would harm “the distinctive quality” of Slim Shady by linking the two in consumers’ minds.

Related: Em Keeps It Family First — Even While Performing!

Per ET, Bryant and Dixon have until March 26 to respond to Eminem’s newly-filed court petition. Neither the Bravolebrities nor Eminem’s team have commented on the lawsuit yet.

Looks like the Real Slim Shady has stood up — in this instance. But will he come out on top when the dust settles?

What do y’all think, Perezcious readers??

[Image via Nicky Nelson/Derrick Salters/MEGA/WENN]

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Feb 22, 2023 06:14am PDT