News about Victor Willis

Village People, a 70s band, sends a cease-and-desist letter to Trump asking that he avoid using their hits

www.dailymail.co.uk, May 16, 2023
At a dinner party at Mar-a-Lago last Friday, footage shows the former president (right) dancing to a live tribute tribute to a group of people dressed up as the legendary band of Macho Man. In his campaign rallies, Trump previously used the group's songs, particularly Macho Man, but was told not to continue using them, according to a letter (inset) from Village People (left), who is married to Victor Willis (left, front in white shirt). The cease-and-desist letter sent to Trump's counsel, Joe Tacopina, says the performance was "unauthorised" and that seeing Trump dance to the song at Mar-a-Lago would encourage followers and the general public that it was performed by the actual Village People, not a tribute band. Willis argued that the result was a breach of the Lanham Act, which shields trademark owners from others using their trademarks 'if such use is likely to result in consumer confusion.'