Christmas songwriter and recording artist Elizabeth Chan scored a complete victory over Mariah Carey when the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board permanently rejected Ms. Carey’s company’s attempt to register “Queen of Christmas” as a trademark. WilmerHale represented Ms. Chan before the Board.

Ms. Carey’s company had applied to register the trademark “Queen of Christmas” for future use on products ranging from music, to perfume, to sunglasses, to coconut milk. Ms. Chan opposed the registration, because she herself has been called the “Queen of Christmas” and believed that no one person should have exclusive and permanent rights to the title.  Today, the Board entered judgment in Ms. Chan’s favor stating that Ms. Carey’s registration for “Queen of Christmas” was “refused.”

“Mariah Carey’s company was engaged in classic trademark bullying: trying to monopolize the title ‘Queen of Christmas’ with a trademark registration,” said Partner Louis Tompros, who led the team representing Ms. Chan. “It’s important to stand up to bullies. That’s what we helped do here. Now, because of what Elizabeth did, nobody can claim exclusive and permanent rights to the ‘Queen of Christmas’ title.” 

Ms. Chan is a full-time songwriter who focuses exclusively on Christmas and holiday music. She has been dubbed the “The Queen of Christmas” by media and has embraced and used the moniker since 2014.

“It has been a year-long legal struggle, but I’m glad that justice has prevailed and that I can continue doing what I do best: bringing Christmas music and entertainment to the world,” said Ms. Chan.

The battle to block the trademark registration for “Queen of Christmas” has been widely covered in the press, including in Variety, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC and more.

In addition to Mr. Tompros, the WilmerHale team representing Ms. Chan includes Partners Kevin Prussia and John Hobgood, and former WilmerHale Associate Hailey Cherepon.