Yoko Ono Sues Lennon (Not That One)

Yoko Ono isn't showing an ounce of compassion for heavy metal musician (and Suicide Girl) Lennon Murphy, who was named after the late Beatle by her mother. Ono is now suing the musician for "tarnishment" of John Lennon's name, "fraudulently" registering the name as a trademark and intentionally exploiting it. Lennon has been using her first name professionally since 1997, and in 2000 (when signed with Arista Records) she cleared the use of the name with Ono. Seems Ono has changed her tune over the years.

On her MySpace blog, lady Lennon airs her frustration about the situation, saying:

This could very well mean the career that I have worked so hard at may come to an end. Lennon is my first name by birth...in 2003 I was granted by the United States Patent & Trademark office the ownership in the name Lennon for musical use. Years pass and no one says a word.

I have no idea what I'm going to do yet in this situation, and I'm stressed, angry, and scared. This is my life. I have no respect for the name Murphy. It was my father's name we will leave it at that. I have represented myself as Lennon because this is my name. That was the name that meant so much to my mother. That's who I am. I'm pissed and hurt that someone in Yoko's position has nothing better to do than fuck with my life, and collect the $25,000,000 a year that the John Lennon estate brings in.

I never falsified my intentions, I never used John Lennon for my benefit, and I never took one cent out of Yoko's bank account. I play music, my name is Lennon.

Now she is being accused of "causing confusion in the market place that has damaged the John Lennon name," the very man she was named after. We're pretty sure no one is confusing John Lennon's music with Lennon's music.

Another Lennon, Julian -- son of John and Cynthia, has spoken out on his MySpace blog as well, reposting the musician's message with the preface: "Sad but True & interesting...I feel for her & know the situation well. Please read carefully...This is NOT about me, but about a girl named 'Lennon'. She has My full support."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts and Events on February 13, 2008 10:01 AM

Comments [rss]

jammer

Loraq, I just sent that as a message to the editors of Gothamist. Yeah this is OBVIOUSLY a publicity stunt on the part of a marginally talented fame starved louse. I mean, she's a suicide girl...she obviously has some attention issues, and what better way than to capitalize on Yoko's history of (wholly unwarranted and completely irrational) negative public reception.

Lorag

This story is not accurate. In a desparate attempt to try and be relevant, this goth girl is fabricating the real story.

Yoko Ono posted this on her myspace page to friends today -

Dear Friends

A musician named Lennon Murphy is claiming that Yoko Ono has sued her and that Yoko is seeking to stop Lennon Murphy from performing under her name, Lennon Murphy. Both of these claims are untrue.

Several years ago, Lennon Murphy sought Yoko's permission to do her performances under her name, Lennon Murphy. Yoko, of course, did not object to her request. Subsequently, without Yoko's knowledge, Lennon Murphy filed an application in the United States trademark Office requesting the exclusive right to utilize the name "Lennon" for musical performances. Yoko's attorneys asked Lennon Murphy's attorneys and manager to withdraw her registration of exclusivity to the name LENNON for the trademark. Yoko also offered to cover all costs Lennon Murphy had incurred in filing for the trademark. But Lennon Murphy went ahead to register.

Yoko did not sue Lennon Murphy, but sought to stop her from getting the exclusive right to the name Lennon for performance purposes. For that, Yoko's attorneys, simply notified the Trademark office that Yoko did not believe it was fair that Ms. Murphy be granted the exclusive right to the "Lennon" trademark in relation to musical and entertainment services. As you can see, this is a very important issue for Yoko and the Lennon family.

Yoko says: I am really hurt if people thought that I told a young artist to not use her own name in her performances and had sought to sue her. I did no such thing. I hope this allegation will be cleared.

Thank you for your kind attention,

Yoko

spoon

This reminds me of when the blessed virgin sued Madonna. People alway got those two mixed up.

Snoopy

The only one that truely soiled John Lennon's name and image is an ugly scrawny bitch named Yoko Ono.

cucarachita

Yoko needs to take a chill pill, man.

I know someone who has the exact same name as a big singer and actor, and you can't google his name without getting this other guy's name no matter how hard you try. And they are both artists!

That's just the breaks! You can't sue people for having the same name as you! That's ridiculous! It's not as if this girl is going to get any money coming to her that should have gone to Yoko!

Do you really think people are going to think she's John Lennon? Or buy her stuff thinking it's John Lennon? Silly, silly Yoko!

JRod5417

Boo Yoko!! Don't be such a bully. Next thing you know, she will be suing Anton Apollo Ono.

Elderta

I just finished listening to her MySpace music. Quite good, actually I was surprised, despite the name of the first song.

You go, girl! Good luck!

Ramble

I've been listening to Lennon (Murphy) since her first album in '01... she's awesome. And no, there's no way you can confuse her with John. Ever.

Yoko can go walk off a pier.

Snoopy

Someone should sue Yoyo Ono for being one of the biggest visual polluters of this planet. She is one ugly old bag of shit.

Way to go Julian! I'm sure you're embarassed by that money grubbing no talent piece of donkey doo.

Elderta

Did anybody see the name of Lennon's first song on her site? "Property of Goat Fker." Maybe that's what's gotten Oko's underwear in a bunch?

Polite New Yorker

Listen to the wisdom of The Meatmen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp1P4yqcsgo

Guest

What's damaging the John Lennon name is the same thing that's damaged it since the mid 60's, Yoko Ono!

amsci

I wonder when Yoko will get around to suing Thomas Lennon (the guy who plays Lt. Jim Dangle on Reno 911). I mean, John Lennon was a funny guy... there's certainly no room for two funny guys named Lennon.

She'll probably get to that after she goes on QVC to sell some Lennon themed commemorative plates or something.

I'm fucking sick of her and of the Beatles.

JenChungsBaby

Had anyone ever heard of this chick before all this? This may be the best thing to ever happen to her career.

JP Lynch

What do Ethiopians and Yoko Ono have in common?

They both live off of dead beatles.

Sommelier

Good for you, Julian Lennon. It seems like you inherited some of the best traits of your father.

pissyrabbit

god i hate yoko ono

smitty

Sad, I mean that is her actually name.

suepart

if possible, she should countersue that old bag for all the trouble (and positive response) that she is getting for this.

JMH

Yes, no

(This Lennon chick is kinda hot)

Politburo

If she did clear the use with Ono, she should have gotten it in writing. I'm surprised Arista's lawyers didn't insist on it (or perhaps they did and the full story isn't being told).

Technically, Ms. Murphy is not being sued. Ono has only petitioned the Trademark board to cancel the mark. Oddly the petition cites two marks for eyeglasses and date books as the basis.. but TMZ did not post the full petition.