Marlon Brando Couch Lawsuit: Furniture Company Sued For Using Actor's Name

First Posted: 02/ 7/2012 9:22 am Updated: 02/ 7/2012 12:02 pm

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In this week's couch-related celebrity news, the Ashley Furniture Company has been forced to pay Marlon Brando's estate $356,000 over a piece of furniture named after the legendary actor. (Insert "Made them an offer they couldn't refuse" joke here.)

According to the Hollywood Reporter, a lawsuit filed was last year on behalf of Brando Enterprises, accusing Ashley of infringement, after several sofas and sectionals had been rebranded as the "Brando" (you can see one of the couches, the Brando 3-piece Cocoa Sectional, below). However, instead of taking the case to court, the company decided it was better to pay the money up front and end the dispute.

A spokesman from Brando's estate stated that this incident "sends a clear message that infringers of Marlon Brando's name and image will be pursued to the fullest extent, and forced to pay substantial damages."

Unfortunately for Ashley, this isn't the first celebrity furniture incident they've been involved in. They are still in the middle of a dispute with Humphrey Bogart's estate over a sofa called, you guessed it, the "Bogart." (Insert "Of all the furniture companies in all the world" joke here.)

[via THR]

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In this week's couch-related celebrity news, the Ashley Furniture Company has been forced to pay Marlon Brando's estate $356,000 over a piece of furniture named after the legendary actor. (Insert "Mad...
In this week's couch-related celebrity news, the Ashley Furniture Company has been forced to pay Marlon Brando's estate $356,000 over a piece of furniture named after the legendary actor. (Insert "Mad...
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buminthesun421
As a matter of fact, I AM a wise-ass...
94 Fans
02:24 PM on 02/12/2012
"The Paris Hilton Model" would be very popular, as she normally spends most of her time on her back with her legs in the air anyway...
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driller7530
Just a RETIRED Oilfield Cowboy
1171 Fans
11:47 AM on 02/12/2012
they would make even more money if they quit building junk and putting some dead guys name on it
Permalink  |
lpcrsotp
507 Fans
11:11 AM on 02/12/2012
They would make more money if they came out with a Kirsten Dunst model, as more guys would want to sit on that. :)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Canefighter
I post my thoughts on subjects, not opinions.
345 Fans
 
10:03 AM on 02/12/2012
Look at all the advertising Ashley's is getting for this story. They are getting away cheap. I was also wondering if it comes in a Horse Head design?
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360Dunk
Feeder of slot machines
683 Fans
09:43 AM on 02/12/2012
Maybe when you sit on the couch you suddenly have the urge to take up for the plight of Native Americans. The only problem with that is if you sit for too long, you'll end up with a wounded knee.
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lilliefaerie
152 Fans
09:42 AM on 02/12/2012
People are oblivious to what is out there with first names. Companies name shoes have names like Sofia, Jaquiline, etc and have been that way for 50 years, Since it is safer to have it a first name than the last, they won't get sued because there are thousands by that name.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
fixitguy331
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
80 Fans
09:24 AM on 02/12/2012
Just call the couch "The Godfather"......Talk about milking a guy's name for all its worth.
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quixmar
You may not agree with me, but you know I'm right.
250 Fans
09:18 AM on 02/12/2012
Ashley! PLEASE use the Quixmar for your next couch!
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majornutt2
34 Fans
08:55 AM on 02/12/2012
They may have named it that because it weighs a ton and won't fit through most doors
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Eina
8 Fans
02:43 PM on 02/12/2012
Man you may ran for president.
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acavet
78 Fans
08:46 AM on 02/12/2012
Given the number of actresses and actors that are both living and dead, the number of names or catch phrases that have previously been given to every conceivable item ever produced its a wonder that anyone can name anything these days without so called infringement.

Although the name is the same I think that unless there is some direct implication that the actor is somehow connected with this item I think the entire thing is really really stupid.
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Sheila Medenwald
Have a nice day/night :)
26 Fans
03:09 PM on 02/08/2012
I want that couch set, but in dark brown. :)
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aztmblweeed
51 Fans
09:38 AM on 02/09/2012
This sectional does not photograph well (Color wise). It is actually cocoa colored. If you really like it, go down and look at it in person.....I love mine!
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Vincent McGuyer
11 Fans
01:54 PM on 02/08/2012
This is just pathetic.. All that over a NAME. People don't buy a sofa because it has a cool name, they buy it because it's comfortable, or they like the way it looks, or it has features they want or need, or all of the above. Nothing like illustrating just how petty Americans, especially those who already have a ton of money, can be. I know not everyone is like that, but sadly the number of those that are, are pretty high.

But since Ashley's had gone through this before, I would think they'd have learned to avoid using dead celebrity names (Not sure how you copyright a portion of a name, but.. whatever), just to avoid the hassle, if for no other reason. But I'm the type who would rather carry on with business, or whatever I'm doing, without having to think/worry about other things like this in the background. That way all attention can be placed on what's happening here and now, which typically means whatever you're doing turns out better.
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Teacherbob
1 Fans
03:04 PM on 02/08/2012
I have to disagree with your comments. First, you can't make money off of someone else's name. Second, It's not an "American" thing. This applies anywhere in the world.

You can't infringe on someone else's rights, name, trademark, copyright, etc.

How is it that you don't know this...?
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Nas9204
14 Fans
01:53 PM on 02/08/2012
Dose this mean i cant sell all my Dale Earnhardt senior collectables or Elivis Presley collectables in garage sales or advertise in garage sale ads that i have them this is totaly ridiculous.
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Teacherbob
1 Fans
02:53 PM on 02/08/2012
NO... If it is Dale Earnhardt stuff that is different. You can't make money off someone's name without permission. In your case - the stuff was licensed under his name.
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kentucky rose
1 Fans
01:50 PM on 02/08/2012
Any name or word can be trademarked. And when it is trademarked it represents an image, an association or branding if you like. When you see or hear the names Brando or Bogart you have an immediate mental image of what that name represents to you. That is what the family is protecting and they have every right to protect it. And by the way, its a SOFA not a couch!
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slowhanddean
I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken !
278 Fans
01:50 PM on 02/08/2012
They should counter sue because after using his name sales dropped off for the couch. When you name something after a mediocre actor whose own industry builds up the hype that he's great what can you ecpect but mediocre furniture.
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usedup1236
32 Fans
03:30 PM on 02/08/2012
ecpect???....slowhand, you were right when you thought you were wrong, you really were wrong, as you are now about Brando being a mediocre actor.
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slowhanddean
I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken !
278 Fans
02:08 PM on 02/09/2012
omg I made a typo! I'm sure you have never made a typo in your life. You also have never noticed that the x is next to the c on the keyboard. And Brando is still an overrated mediocre actor. His last movie before he died was going to be a true story. Brando eats Hollywood.
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ellisclevenger
124 Fans
12:39 PM on 02/12/2012
The only thing mediocre is your comment. "A Streetcar Named Desire", "On The Waterfront", Last Tango In Paris", "Apocalypse Now", "The Godfather", "The Wild One". Nothing mediocre about any of these films. Nothing mediocre about someone imitating an actor, and achieving critical success, as James Dean did, by imitating Marlon Brando. As for the industry building the hype that he was a great actor, I beg to differ. The industry did everything to "trash" him, and apparently, from your comment they did a good job. The "trashing" of Marlon Brando started in the mid 60's, when he became a political activist. Please educate yourself about Marlon Brando by going to the sites of IMdb (Internet Movie database-Biography) or Turner Classic Movies.
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slowhanddean
I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken !
278 Fans
03:20 PM on 02/12/2012
I call it as I see it. Terrible actor. Over acting is not acting!
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