Eminem spends his mornings locked within the studio, and his authorized workforce says that’s exactly why Real Housewives of Potomac stars Robyn Dixon and Gizelle Bryant are out of line for demanding an all-day, early-morning deposition in a trademark dispute over their podcast identify “Reasonably Shady.”

At the heart of the legal fight is whether “Reasonably Shady” is too similar to Eminem’s SHADY trademarks, which have been part of his brand since the late 1990s.

Dixon and Bryant want to lock down the name for their podcast and merchandise. Eminem contends it may confuse shoppers and dilute his model.

The rap icon’s legal professionals argue the Housewives are utilizing the deposition as a stress tactic, not a official effort to collect information, particularly since Eminem doesn’t management the SHADY logos on the heart of the case.

According to courtroom filings, Eminem shouldn’t be listed as a witness, doesn’t make selections in regards to the SHADY model, and performs no function in its licensing, enforcement or business use.

Still, Dixon and Bryant are pushing for a full-day deposition, arguing they should probe Eminem’s ideas and motivations behind the SHADY identification.

“Showing his lack of good faith, although requested and suggested by Applicants’ counsel, [Eminem’s] counsel did not propose alternative start times nor any options to accommodate the witness’s availability, including earlier start times or alternate days when [Eminem] would be available for a full day within normal business,” Dixon’s lawyer, Andrea H. Evans, defined.

Em’s authorized workforce calls {that a} stretch and a distraction.

“[Eminem’s] image, mindset, and intentions…are not relevant to the claims or defenses of this case,” his attorneys wrote, pushing again on the Housewives’ insistence that they should query the rapper straight.

Eminem’s legal professionals say the Housewives rejected a proposed 2 P.M. begin time, even after being advised that Eminem’s mornings are full of high-cost studio classes involving engineers, artists and workers.

“[Eminem] is presently working on new music for various projects, which requires his daily attendance with the people identified below. It is not only difficult and very expensive for him to be out of his studio at such times, but it will also put him behind schedule for the various contracts which have been promised by dates certain,” Paul Rosenberg mentioned. “The reality of Mr. Mather’s schedule is that he needs to be at his studio every morning to meet with the people who rely on his presence when creating new music.”

Both Dixon and Bryant had been deposed in lower than two hours, and Em’s workforce says there’s no legitimate purpose they want as much as seven hours with somebody who doesn’t deal with trademark issues.

They additionally rejected a proposal to increase the session into the night or resume it the subsequent day.

Now, Eminem’s attorneys are asking the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to restrict the deposition to 2 hours, implement the afternoon begin time, block any broad extension of discovery, and bar any irrelevant questions on his persona or picture.

Related