GrayRobinson Attorneys Karen Stetson and Jonathan Gaines Achieve Appellate Win for Grammy Winner Alan Parsons

GrayRobinson Representation of Parsons in Law360’s "11th Circ. Lets Alan Parsons Block Shows In ‘Knockoff’ Suit"

Miami, Fla. – April, 23 2021 – GrayRobinson Entertainment, Trademark, and Copyright Attorneys Karen Stetson and Jonathan Gaines, located in the Miami office, today claimed victory for Grammy Winner Alan Parsons in case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Stetson and Gaines’ appellate win in the case, Alan Parsons et al. v. John Regna et al, can be found in Law360 "11th Circ. Lets Alan Parsons Block Shows In 'Knockoff' Suit."

As detailed in Law360, a three-judge appellate panel upheld a Florida federal judge's decision to grant Parsons a preliminary injunction banning former business partner John Regna's use of Parsons' name and trademarks. The panel said Regna failed to establish that he did nothing that would, in conjunction with the use of Parsons' marks, suggest the trademark holder was associated with the use of the marks. The judges agreed with the district court that "the band names and descriptions used by Regna are carefully crafted to draw a close, unmistakable association with The Alan Parsons Project." The appellate panel also rejected Regna's argument that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction.

From 2009 to 2018, Parsons and his company Appertaining LLC, also named as a plaintiff, worked with Regna to pursue projects that would help grow The Alan Parsons Project brand. After they parted ways, Regna promoted live sessions with former musicians from The Alan Parsons Project using variations of Parsons’ brand. Parsons, who worked with the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and established The Alan Parsons Project with the late Eric Woolfson, has four registered trademarks and has engaged in the common law use of the mark, The Alan Parsons Project, dating back to at least 1976. 

Additional details on the case can be found in Complete Music Update’s "Alan Parsons retains preliminary injunction over former business partner accused of trademark infringement."