An Australian has found himself into a major legal drama with one of the biggest musicians in the world. Eminem has filed a trademark infringement on Jeremy Scott’s Sydney business Swim Shady.
The American rapper is also known as Slim Shady and his lawsuit hinges on the concern that people might assume he has an association with the Aussie company. But Jeremy told Yahoo Lifestyle that he isn’t backing down.
“Swim Shady is a grass roots Australian company that was born out of a desire to produce stylish and effective sun shades and other items to protect from the harsh Australian sun,” he said.
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“We will defend our valuable intellectual property. Given the matters are before the court, we do not propose to say any more at this time.”
Scott first got the idea for his beachwear and accessory company back in 2021 and eventually brought that dream to life in 2024.
The business now sells beach umbrellas, bags, towels and shorts to people across the country.
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He shared to Yahoo Lifestyle that he trademarked Swim Shady in Australia in March last year, which was eventually accepted by IP Australia.
But Eminem’s team caught wind of it a few months later.
The rapper filed an opposition to the trademark in October last year, which came just six weeks before Swim Shady officially launched to the public.
The rapper alleged the name was “substantially identical or deceptively similar trademarks” of his.
Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has three current trademarks in Australia, including SHADY and SHADY LIMITED. Both of these are registered in the entertainment and merchandise category.
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He has also tried to trademark the term Slim Shady in Australia, but that was only submitted in January this year.
Jeremy submitted an application to get Swim Shady trademarked with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, which was initially approved.
However, Eminem filed against that submission in September this year.
The rapper claimed in his legal filing that the Sydney-based business is creating a “false association” with him, and that there was a “likelihood of confusion” between the brand name and the musician, according to PEOPLE.
He also claimed that his own brand could suffer “damage and injury” if Swim Shady was allowed to keep its US trademark.
Lawyers for Eminem declined to to comment further to PEOPLE.
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