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Feld Ent. Suing Kid Rock, Live Nation Over ‘Greatest Show On Earth’ Tour Name
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus producer Feld Entertainment Dec. 22 announced the filing of a federal trademark dilution and infringement suit against Kid Rock and promoter Live Nation over the tour name “The Greatest Show On Earth.”
Scott Legato / Getty Images – Kid Rock
Kid Rock sets an attendance record of 86,893 tickets sold over six shows Sept. 12-20 when he opens Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
“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,” said Kenneth Feld, Chairman and CEO of Feld 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.”
Feld says it repeatedly contacted Live Nation and Kid Rock’s camp to stop the usage of the name but was ignored.
“Feld Entertainment was not contacted by Kid Rock (or anybody else on his behalf) regarding his use of Feld Entertainment’s trademark The Greatest Show On Earth,” Feld’s general counsel said in a statement. “The lawsuit asks the court to stop the unauthorized usage of the Greatest Show on Earth in connection with Kid Rock’s tour and merchandise.”
While the 150-year-old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus staged its final circus performance in May, the legend lives on in the form of merchandise, collectibles, clothing and more.
While far behind top dogs Live Nation and AEG Presents, Feld regularly features near the top of Pollstar’s Year End Top 100 Promoters list, with touring productions including Monster Jam, Monster Energy Supercross, AMSOIL Arenacross, Marvel Universe Live!, Disney On Ice, Disney Live! and Sesame Street Live! in 2016 Feld shows sold more than 3.5 million tickets, as reported to Pollstar.
Kid Rock’s tour in question kicks off Jan. 19 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and continues through mostly the Eastern part of the country before ending at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas March 24.
While not doing a full tour in 2017, Kid Rock was still pretty busy, with “Kid Rock’s Chillin’ The Most Cruise” in April, which also included Robert Randolph and the Family Band, and he opened the brand-new Little Caesars Arena in his hometown Detroit with six shows Sept. 12-20.
Those shows sold a combined 86,893 tickets and grossed just under $5.5 million as reported to Pollstar. He also made headlines by threatening to run for U.S. senate, which he later said was a joke.
A Live Nation representative confirmed to Pollstar that it does not comment on litigation.