Posted on Jun 1, 2022
No more Elvis-themed weddings for Las Vegas chapels, a licensing company says
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https://www.npr.org/2022/06/01/ [login to see] /elvis-las-vegas-weddings-order-to-stop
Las Vegas chapels of love that use Elvis Presley's likeness could find themselves becoming Heartbreak Hotels.
The licensing company that controls the name and image of "The King" is ordering Sin City chapel operators to stop using Elvis in themed ceremonies, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Monday. Authentic Brands Group sent cease-and-desist letters in early May to multiple chapels, which are expected to be compliant by now.
With Elvis so closely tied to Vegas' wedding industry, some say the move could decimate their businesses.
Las Vegas chapels of love that use Elvis Presley's likeness could find themselves becoming Heartbreak Hotels.
The licensing company that controls the name and image of "The King" is ordering Sin City chapel operators to stop using Elvis in themed ceremonies, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Monday. Authentic Brands Group sent cease-and-desist letters in early May to multiple chapels, which are expected to be compliant by now.
With Elvis so closely tied to Vegas' wedding industry, some say the move could decimate their businesses.
No more Elvis-themed weddings for Las Vegas chapels, a licensing company says
Posted from npr.org
Las Vegas
Wedding
Marriage
Posted 2 y ago
Responses: 4
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I got married in Vegas at a chapel but I never wanted to get married in a Cheesy Elvis Chapel.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."In the cease-and-desist letter, the company said it will halt unauthorized use of "Presley's name, likeness, voice image, and other elements of Elvis Presley's persona in advertisements, merchandise and otherwise." The letter also said "Elvis," "Elvis Presley," "and "The King of Rock and Roll" are protected trademarks.
The order should not translate into legal action against Elvis-themed stage shows in Las Vegas such as "All Shook Up" because impersonating someone for live performances such as shows is considered an exception under Nevada's right of publicity law, according to Mark Tratos, a local attorney who helped write the statute.
"An Elvis show is a performer essentially entertaining others by re-creating that person onstage," Tratos said.
Kent Ripley, whose business is called Elvis Weddings, said he has never run into this issue in 25 years of performing as Elvis.
"They want to protect the Elvis brand. But what are they protecting by taking Elvis away from the public?" Ripley asked."
..."In the cease-and-desist letter, the company said it will halt unauthorized use of "Presley's name, likeness, voice image, and other elements of Elvis Presley's persona in advertisements, merchandise and otherwise." The letter also said "Elvis," "Elvis Presley," "and "The King of Rock and Roll" are protected trademarks.
The order should not translate into legal action against Elvis-themed stage shows in Las Vegas such as "All Shook Up" because impersonating someone for live performances such as shows is considered an exception under Nevada's right of publicity law, according to Mark Tratos, a local attorney who helped write the statute.
"An Elvis show is a performer essentially entertaining others by re-creating that person onstage," Tratos said.
Kent Ripley, whose business is called Elvis Weddings, said he has never run into this issue in 25 years of performing as Elvis.
"They want to protect the Elvis brand. But what are they protecting by taking Elvis away from the public?" Ripley asked."
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