Eminem, the iconic rapper, is taking legal steps to avoid a courtroom appearance in the ongoing trademark battle with “Real Housewives of Potomac” stars Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon. Court documents obtained by AllHipHop reveal that Eminem filed a request for a protective order on December 15, aiming to prevent a face-to-face deposition with the reality TV personalities.
In the legal filings, Eminem, also known as Marshall Mathers or Slim Shady, claims to possess “limited knowledge of the subjects at issue” and argues that appearing in court would be “unduly burdensome.” Instead, the rapper’s legal team proposed his manager, Paul Rosenberg, and two other individuals, citing their “equal and superior knowledge” of the relevant topics.
However, Dixon and Bryant remain insistent on deposing Eminem directly, prompting his legal team to seek a protective order to prevent his deposition. Andrea Evans, the attorney for Dixon and Bryant, stated that Eminem’s request for the order is aimed at preserving the confidentiality of information.
The trademark dispute began when the “Real Housewives” stars applied to register the name of their podcast, “Reasonably Shady,” with the intention of selling various goods in February 2023. Eminem opposed their trademark request, asserting that it could lead to consumer confusion and damage his brand. In March 2023, Dixon and Bryant retaliated by requesting that the judge reject Eminem’s objections.
As both parties navigate the complexities of trademark infringement and protection, the legal battle continues, casting a spotlight on the intersection of celebrity branding and intellectual property disputes.