Madonna’s new hit single, previously titled "Girls Gone Wild," recently
drew a legal challenge from Joe Francis, the man behind the "Girls Gone
Wild" empire of videos detailing the Spring Break and other exploits of
drunk teenagers. Francis, predictably, was attempting to defend his
company’s trademark. In a cease and desist letter, Francis warned
Madonna not to perform the song at the halftime show of the Super Bowl,
which she complied with. She also released the single with the "s"
removed from "Girls," making the new title of the song "Girl Gone Wild."
Francis has told the media that his legal team has specifically worked
with Madonna to correct the issues, and that the changing of the name is
just the beginning of the process. Noted Francis, "An immediate
solution for them to thwart any injunctive relief. Clearly her label was
trying to avoid legal action surrounding the song. This is still
infringement as far as the law is concerned. We have been in touch with
Madonna's representatives in an effort to resolve this issue."
On the other hand, Madonna notes that Francis has got it wrong. Those
close to the singer also note that Francis’ claim of any victory in the
matter is ridiculous, noting that Madonna never received a cease and
desist letter and that changing the name of the song to make "Girl"
singular made it more fitting. The same source even laughed at the
notion that Francis owns the trademark to "Girls Gone Wild," though a
search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office indicates that Francis
does, indeed, appear to own that exact trademark.
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