The emblematic band logo of the California rock band Guns N’ Roses is world famous. At the center of the design are two revolvers pointing left and right, wreathed in tendrils of roses.
Now the band with the pistol emblem has filed a lawsuit against a gun shop in Texas.
According to the text of the pamphlet, the owners of the store would try to fool viewers and fans into believing that there was a connection between “Texas Guns and Roses” and the band. The shop sells all kinds of firearms, ammunition, scopes and body armor – and also a small selection of roses, hence the semi-ironic addition “Village Florist”.
The court documents stated that there would be no permission from the band to use the band’s name
According to the Hard & Heavy trade press, GNR’s lawyers claim that the “Village Florist” deliberately chose the name to attract the large fan base of Axl Rose and Co.
Selling roses would also be a cheap ploy to justify “large-scale appropriation” of the Guns N’ Roses brand.
The band’s officials say the name “Texas Guns and Roses” came to GNR’s attention back in 2019. The lawyers sent a cease and desist letter. But the operator did not respond. The store continues to use the name and “deliberately trades in GNR’s reputation, prestige, and fame without GNR’s permission, license, or consent,” according to court documents.
It continues: “This is particularly damaging to GNR given the nature of the defendant’s business. GNR reasonably does not want to be associated with the defendant, a firearms and weapons retailer.”
And further:
“Furthermore, on its website, the defendant expresses political views regarding the regulation and control of firearms and weapons that may be polarizing for many U.S. consumers.”
David L. Clark, an attorney representing Village Florist, told the City News Service: “There has never been any actual mix-up, nor has the band presented any evidence of mix-up. The whole thing is an attempt to drive up costs and wear us down.
Our client also sells metal safes for guns and flowers and has a website and absolutely no one is confused. Nobody thinks that we are the band or that there is any connection to it. We will fight back!”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a cease-and-desist from the store’s use of the name.