Singer and songwriter Kid Rock is expected to go on tour throughout 2018, though he recently had to change the official name of his tour from 'The Greatest Show on Earth' to 'The American Rock N Roll Tour.' The change came on the heels of a lawsuit filed against the performer back in December by Feld Entertainment, “longtime owners of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, over the right to use that trademarked tagline.”Despite making the change to the tour name, Rock issued a declaration in court earlier the week, saying:“While I firmly believe that I am entitled under the First Amendment to name my Tour after my song. I have changed the Tour name because I do not want this lawsuit to distract me or my fans from focusing on what is important in my upcoming Tour—my music.”

Feld Entertainment Logo; Image Courtesy of Saint Leo University International Tourism and Hospitality, https://saintleoithm.wordpress.com/

Unfortunately for Rock, his tour name change isn't stopping Feld from moving forward with the lawsuit. In fact, yesterday Feld filed a rebuttal, stating that “Rock's voluntary decision to refrain from using the trademark does not change its need for a preliminary injunction.” Additionally, Attorney Brian Albritton claimed that “Rock is still displaying the mark and intends to sell merchandise using the mark.” He added, “if the defendants sincerely intend not to infringe, the injunction harms them little; if they do, it gives [plaintiff] substantial protection of its trademark.”In addition to Kid Rock, the federal trademark dilution lawsuit also names Live Nation. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the lawsuit alleges that “Rock and Live Nation were not authorized to use the now-dormant circus’ well-known slogan for the 2018 trek.”When commenting on the pending litigation and why Ringling Bros. decided to file the lawsuit, Kenneth Feld, Feld Entertainment Chairman and CEO said:“This historic trademark has been an important part of Ringling Bros. for the past century, and it is recognized as a trusted and iconic brand of family-friendly entertainment. The Greatest Show On Earth continues to live on and will do so well into the future. We have no intention of surrendering the trademark or allowing it to be tarnished.”Lisa Joiner, general counsel for Feld Entertainment also chimed in, saying:“We have authorized licensees for ‘Ringling Bros.’ and ‘The Greatest Show on Earth,’ but Kid Rock is not one of them. Feld Entertainment was not contacted by Kid Rock (or anybody else on his behalf) regarding his use of Feld Entertainment’s trademark.”For now, Feld Entertainment is seeking damages and legal fees, and a “preliminary injunction is set for Tuesday in Tampa, Florida, federal court.”

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Kid Rock Changes Tour Name Due to Circus LawsuitKid Rock Faces Lawsuit From Circus Owners Over 'Greatest Show on Earth' Tour