Eminem has asked the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to grant him a protective order against the need to appear in person for a deposition amid an ongoing trademark dispute with Real Housewives of Potomac stars Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon.
The 51-year-old artist, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, filed papers on December 15 asking for permission to skip a statement with the Bravo personalities. AllHipHop reported Friday after examining documents in the case.
The Detroit native filed paperwork against Bryant, 53, and Dixon, 44, earlier this year, opposing obtaining a trademark to name their podcast Reasonably Shady because it could “create confusion in the minds of consumers.” '
In documents filed by the Grammy-winning rapper's attorneys earlier this month, the rapper's attorneys called the Bravo stars' efforts to have him appear for deposition “premature and procedurally inappropriate.”
The Without Me artist's attorneys said Bryant and Dixon have yet to serve “Eminem” with a notice of deposition, a necessary condition for hiring and requesting that the board enforce a declaratory judgment.
Eminem, 51, has asked the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to grant him a protective order against the need to appear in person for a deposition amid an ongoing trademark dispute with Real Housewives of Potomac stars Gizelle Bryant, 53, and Robyn Dixon, 44. Pictured in LA last year
Bryant and Dixon, pictured in Las Vegas last month, have been embroiled in a trademark dispute with the artist this year
The Lose Yourself rapper's legal team said that even if Eminem were placed in the “excessively burdensome” position of impeachment, it would not provide vital information in the case.
Eminem has “limited knowledge of the topics in question” and any information obtained by questioning him would likely be “ambiguous” as other professionals on his team possess “superior knowledge of said issues.”
Bryant and Dixon “have made no attempt to obtain the discovery they seek through more convenient and less burdensome means,” the Love the Way You Lie artist's attorneys told the TTAB.
Eminem's lawyers said three people on his team, including manager Paul Rosenberg, 'had equal and superior knowledge' [him] on the relevant topics.'
Bryant and Dixon have “made no statements to date” and “made no attempt to assess whether they will be able to obtain the relevant information from said individuals,” Eminem's lawyers said.
The attorneys asked the TTAB to “issue a protective order barring the impeachment of Marshall Mathers III.”
Eminem initially filed an appeal on February 14 against the RHOP stars receiving a trademark for their Reasonably Shady podcast. Page six.
Eminem said in the filings that his brand would be “damaged” if the trademark were granted and said the trademark for the podcast “could cause confusion in the minds of consumers.”
Eminem filed an opposition in February against a trademark application filed by Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon for their Reasonably Shady podcast
He also claimed that the trademark for the podcast “could cause confusion in the minds of consumers”
The reality stars, who have both starred on Bravo's Real Housewives of Potomac since its debut in 2016, filed the trademark weeks earlier with the intention of selling merchandise under the podcast name
Eminem owns the trademark for “Shady” for use on merchandise, and has used Slim Shady exclusively for entertainment services since 1998.
Bryant and Dixon, who both starred on Bravo's Real Housewives of Potomac since its debut in 2016, had filed the trademark weeks earlier with the intention of selling merchandise under the podcast name.
The duo plans to sell products such as water bottles, lip gloss, sweatshirts, hats, jackets and socks that would bear the podcast's name.
Bryant and Dixon launched the Reasonably Shady podcast in November 2021, with new episodes delivered weekly every Monday.
The show “features conversations about being fearless women while telling stories from their exciting lives.”
Bryant and Dixon delve into topics such as “dating, relationships, marriage, entrepreneurs, motherhood, style, glamour, current events and more.”
The show was a huge success and was nominated for Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards in 2022.
They both also celebrated reaching the 5 million downloads milestone for their podcast earlier this year.
The duo attempted to sell products such as water bottles, lip gloss, sweatshirts, hats, jackets and socks that would bear the podcast's name. Pictured in 2022 in NYC
Bryant and Dixon launched the Reasonably Shady podcast in November 2021, with new episodes delivered weekly every Monday
The show 'features conversations about being fearless women while telling stories from their exciting lives'
Bryant took to Instagram in February to celebrate with her 709,000 followers with a heartfelt post.
'SOOO AMAZING! Less than two years and our little @reasonablyshady podcast has over 5 MILLION downloads,” Bryant began.
'Thank you very much for listening! Thanks for the love and support! We really appreciate being part of the @blackeffectfamily. Thank you @iheartradio,” she concluded.