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Celebrity Justice
Yoko to Rocker -- Ono You Can't Use Your Name!

Posted Feb 11th 2008 1:36PM by TMZ Staff

A hard-working heavy-metal-rocker is in danger of losing her musical identity -- all because Yoko Ono wants to bring a silver hammer down on her for using the name Lennon.
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Lennon Murphy, a singer-songwriter whose band is called Lennon, has been sued by Yoko for "tarnishment" of her widow's name and for "fraudulently" registering the name as a trademark.

Ono, claims in court papers that Murphy is (intentionally) exploiting the name and confusing people by using it -- and wants her trademark canceled.

Murphy shoots back on her MySpace page that Yoko and her lawyer were asked back in 2000 about using the name for her debut CD on Arista Records, and they didn't object. Lennon (the band) has since been dropped by Arista, but continues to record. "If Yoko prevails," writes Lennon Murphy, "Lennon might never be able to tour or release records using the name Lennon."

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(Page 7 of 14) Previous 15 Comments | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

91. Yoko John was much loved by people the world over, isn't that more important to you than a name, Lennon Murphy's mother and father were and are obviously Beatles/John Lennon fans. What a wonderful way to honor John. You yourself show John a GREAT Dishonor by trying to sue this young lady and depriving her of her right to use her name in making and promoting her own music. John 's music has brought many people joy and happiness, I truly believe that john would want Lennon's music to be heard and enjoyied by everyone, just his was and still is to this day.

Posted at 4:29PM on Feb 11th 2008 by DIANE

92. she is such a punk she needs to just back up from that poor girl and let her music career expand, yoko needs to get laid!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 4:13PM on Feb 11th 2008 by Sugapiehoney

93. I agree with Number 12 above. I saw this girls CD back in 2000, and I personally thought the little bitch had a lotta nerve to just call herself "Lennon". She CERTAINLY knew the confusion it would create. However, I DO think that Yoko should have trademarked John's name AND the name "Lennon". Also, John Lennon was usually knows as just "Lennon", and the Beatles songs are published as "Lennon & McCartney". The Lennon Sisters were the Lennon SISTERS, no way to confuse that! I think Yoko's in the right here. Also, a chick named her baby "Chanel" and LOST her case to the corporation "Chanel" years ago. I think this stupid Lennon Murphy ho needs to find another name and make it her OWN. Too bad sucka.

Posted at 4:15PM on Feb 11th 2008 by Maldoror

94. Get over yourself, bitch. You don't OWN the name. STFU

Posted at 4:18PM on Feb 11th 2008 by W T F ?

95. Me love you long time! Sucky Sucky!

Posted at 4:23PM on Feb 11th 2008 by itchypussy

96. Lennon is her first name given at birth from her later mother. Lennon should have the same rights as any other artist to publish records using their own name.

Posted at 4:45PM on Feb 11th 2008 by Erin

97. Someone put this cow out of her misery! She needs to just go away. If it wasn't this person's actual name, okay MAYbe I could understand, BUT THIS IS THE WOMAN'S NAME! Stupid bitch.

Posted at 4:23PM on Feb 12th 2008 by Mykie

98. THIS WON'T HOLD WATER!! YOKO'S LAWYERS DON'T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON SINCE THEY (OR YOKO) PREVIOUSLY APPROVED OF THE USE OF "LENNON:" PRESUMABLY WITHOUT RESERVATION. But, you can't help but think this is a publicity move on LENNON's part, though. They don't have a label currently, Arista dropped them, and only now they're getting tagged by Yoko? Something's fishy.

Posted at 11:58AM on Feb 12th 2008 by Charlie Don't Surf

99. she was at the lame ass Grammys last night. God did that show suck and so did the segment they did for the Beatles, Day in the Life. Too Long, to circus like, too mimed, too everything.

why would we honor Yoko there, I didnt see any other beatles ex wives there. george had 2, ringo had 1 past 1 current,, john had 1, paul had 1, oh wait, she wouldnt show up till court is over.

Yoko has a daughter. how come she's treated by the media like chelsea clinton? where is that daughter, since yoko wont listen to reason, maybe the Paps should go find her daughter and bug her to changer her moms ways.

Posted at 4:36PM on Feb 11th 2008 by She is the Walrus

100. Yoko and Heather should be dumped on a deserted island together. Where's Maxwell's Silver Hammer when you need it?

Posted at 5:32PM on Feb 11th 2008 by Klymax

101. only comment I have is that Yoko is not John Lennon's EX-wife. They were still married when he was murdered in NYC.

Posted at 4:40PM on Feb 11th 2008 by Cookie

102. Can you really confuse her for John Lennon??


http://img.webring.com/r/t/thelennonmurphyr/logo

Posted at 4:41PM on Feb 11th 2008 by Yoko'sHairyBush

103. Correction: John Lennon was NOT Yoko's ex-husband, they were still married at the time of his murder. He is her LATE HUSBAND. She is his WIDOW!

Posted at 7:52AM on Feb 12th 2008 by singleparent2

104. who in the hell is this bitch......lennon is a common name....this is bull...she does not even own the name lennon...no one owns a name......yoko is one bitch that will go straight to hell, along with heather mills..the one legged gimp prostitute

Posted at 4:53PM on Feb 11th 2008 by JLO&ANTHONYSUCK

105. I want to open up an ugly greedy talentless bitchpickle store and call it Yoko's. There won't be any confusion, will there?

Posted at 4:45PM on Feb 11th 2008 by gazoo

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