A German court has ruled that the Frank Zappa tribute festival Zappanale does not violate the trademark held by Zappa's widow Gail, effectively allowing the event to continue using the musician's name - as well as his moustache and goatee.
The court handed down its decision last week, saying the Zappa Family Trust, which is headed by Gail Zappa, was unable to prove it actively uses its trademark in Germany, Spiegel Online reports. As a result, Zappanale may continue to use its logo featuring the musician's facial hair and allow bands to cover his tunes at the festival in Bad Doberan, Germany. What's more, the statue of Frank Zappa standing in Bad Doberan's town centre may remain right where it is, despite his widow's demands it be removed.
As previously reported, Gail Zappa sued Zappanale organisers the Arf Society for $400,000 in 2008 on the grounds that she holds the sole rights to use her deceased husband's name, as well as 'stache'n'patch combo used in Zappanale's logo.
Arf Society president Thomas Dippel was "very satisfied" with the court's decision, he told the German news agency DPA, adding that he's looking forward to festival's 20th anniversary this summer, which will feature Japanese psych gods Acid Mothers Temple as well as several other bands breaking out the "Zappa-esque rock."
In 2008, nearly 10,000 fans showed up at the event and thousands signed a petition in support Zappanale in the midst of the festival's legal battles.
Frank Zappa "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body"
The court handed down its decision last week, saying the Zappa Family Trust, which is headed by Gail Zappa, was unable to prove it actively uses its trademark in Germany, Spiegel Online reports. As a result, Zappanale may continue to use its logo featuring the musician's facial hair and allow bands to cover his tunes at the festival in Bad Doberan, Germany. What's more, the statue of Frank Zappa standing in Bad Doberan's town centre may remain right where it is, despite his widow's demands it be removed.
As previously reported, Gail Zappa sued Zappanale organisers the Arf Society for $400,000 in 2008 on the grounds that she holds the sole rights to use her deceased husband's name, as well as 'stache'n'patch combo used in Zappanale's logo.
Arf Society president Thomas Dippel was "very satisfied" with the court's decision, he told the German news agency DPA, adding that he's looking forward to festival's 20th anniversary this summer, which will feature Japanese psych gods Acid Mothers Temple as well as several other bands breaking out the "Zappa-esque rock."
In 2008, nearly 10,000 fans showed up at the event and thousands signed a petition in support Zappanale in the midst of the festival's legal battles.
Frank Zappa "What's the Ugliest Part of Your Body"
