Tyler Perry Studios quietly renamed its political comedy “She the Folks” final week amid ongoing litigation accusing Tyler Perry and collection star and government producer Terri J. Vaughn of lifting the title of the Netflix comedy from the political nonprofit of the identical title.
Vaughn, Tyler Imaginative and prescient LLC and Netflix had been sued earlier this 12 months by She the Folks founder Aimee Allison for trademark infringement and unfair competitors. The activist claimed that the Mississippi capitol-set comedy collection stole its title from her personal trademarked work. Allison’s nonprofit was based to empower and embolden ladies of shade in a brand new political period; the Netflix collection follows Vaughn as Antoinette Dunkerson, the Magnolia State’s first Black lieutenant governor.
The trademark infringement lawsuit was filed in California on Could 19, simply forward of the Could 22 collection premiere of “She the Folks” on Netflix. On July 4, the streamer debuted the trailer for Season 1 Half 2 of the collection, moreover revealing its title change to “Miss Governor.” The second half of Season 1 debuts Aug. 14.
“Since at the least 2018, Ms. Allison has used the ‘She the Folks’ mark repeatedly and prominently to determine and distinguish her nationally acknowledged work to advance the political voice, management and affect of ladies of shade,” the lawsuit learn. “Beneath this mark, Ms. Allison launched the primary nationwide summit centering ladies of shade in politics in 2018, convened the primary presidential discussion board targeted on ladies of shade in 2019, and has repeatedly used the mark throughout main media, philanthropic and civic platforms.”
Within the go well with, Allison claims that she’s been in possession of the trademark “She the Folks” since 2018, masking political commentary, conferences, blogs, books, and podcasts. Court docket paperwork additionally state that on Sept. 8, 2024, Perry’s Tyler Imaginative and prescient filed to trademark the phrase “She the Folks” for his tv collection, however the utility was denied in April final 12 months “due to a chance of confusion with Allison’s registrations.”
The plaintiff additionally alleges that she labored with collection star and EP Vaughn by way of her Nina Vacation Leisure manufacturing firm in 2020 on a documentary collection about ladies of shade in politics, additionally titled “She the Folks.”
“Vaughn labored instantly with Allison on this mission,” the go well with reads. “Amongst different issues, Vaughn labored with Allison to develop themes for the documentary, organize and conduct interviews with topics and put together pitch decks to advertise and search funding for the documentary.” The lawsuit claims all mental property was to be retained by Allison’s She the Folks nonprofit.
Because it pertains to Vaughn’s Netflix collection, Allison claims that the collection’ title “falsely signifies to shoppers that the events are sponsored by, affiliated with, or associated to one another.” The nonprofit, in accordance its web site, has a “mission to construct energy for ladies of shade to steer America to a brand new political period.” It makes use of academic packages, media, writing and dwell occasions to uplift the political energy of ladies of shade.
“The infringing mark is similar to Allison’s She the Folks mark,” the go well with reads, stating that the present options political themes that resonate with ladies of shade that carefully overlap with the Allison’s authentic model mission. “Defendants’ actions are deliberate, willful and represent a realizing violation.”
The go well with calls for a trial by jury and that Perry cease using “She the Folks,” that promotion of the Netflix collection below that title be blocked, that Perry’s Tyler Imaginative and prescient abandon his trademark utility. Allison’s go well with additionally requests financial aid for damages, legal professional’s charges and prices and punitive damages.
Representatives for Netflix declined TheWrap’s request for remark.
