Mariah Carey is trying to trademark the title “Queen of Christmas,” believing it to be synonymous with Christmas, thanks to her 1994 hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” However, the singer’s request has been resisted – and at least one artist is taking legal action to block it.
Carey’s legal team filed a petition for the “Queen of Christmas” trademark in March 2021, but it was made public in July, giving others a chance to protest.
Christmas songwriter Elizabeth Chan did just that. She is a full-time songwriter, also known as “The Queen of Christmas”, say her lawyers at Wilmerhall Law Firm.
The firm says Chan’s opposition to Carey’s trademark application has garnered media attention, including an interview with Variety, during which Chan explained why she and her attorneys filed a formal declaration of protest. .
“Christmas has come before any of us on Earth, and hopefully after any of us on Earth,” Chan said. “And I feel very strongly that no one should hold onto or monopolize anything around Christmas the way Maria has wanted forever. It’s not the right thing to do. Christmas everyone It is for sharing; it is not for ownership.”
According to another Variety interview published in December 2021, Chan says she is the only notable singer-songwriter to create only original holiday songs.
Another singer has also publicly opposed Carey’s trademark request. Grammy winner Darlene Love posted about the title “Queen of Christmas” on Facebook.
“David Letterman officially declared me the Queen of Christmas 29 years ago, [Kerry] a year before ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ released, and at 81 I’m not changing anything ”, wrote Love, whose real name is Darlene Wright. “I’ve been in the business for 52 years, earned it and can still hit those notes! Call David or my attorney if Maria has a problem!!”
Love performed his 1963 Christmas song “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” every year for nearly three decades on David Letterman’s show.
She released her own Christmas album in 2007, titled “It’s Christmas, Off Course.” He has also won a Grammy for Best Musical Film for the documentary “20 Feet from Stardom”, which also won an Oscar for Best Documentary.
It is unclear whether Love has taken legal action against Carey’s trademark request.
Per Carey’s request, the singer intends to use the trademark “Queen of Christmas” on items such as perfume, body lotion, skin care products, makeup, spa products, hair care, nail polish and sunglasses. She intends to use the title on her music, music videos and various music-based entertainments.
Carey’s most popular Christmas song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” helped her set a record in 2019 as the first artist to hit #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in four different decades. 1 on the charts for three weeks beginning in late 2019 – 25 years after its first release, the first time it earned the top spot in December.
CBS News has contacted Chan’s attorneys and Love’s representative, as well as Carey’s attorney, and is awaiting a response.