Rap veteran Eminem is not one to shy away from a battle. But this time, it seems he’s taking on a different kind of opponent – the Real Housewives of Potomac stars Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon. He’s reportedly in a trademark dispute over their podcast, Reasonably Shady.
As previously reported, the Detroit native earlier this year filed paperwork against Bryant, 53, and Dixon, 44, opposing them receiving a trademark to call their podcast “Reasonably Shady” as he claimed it could “cause confusion in the minds of consumers.” Now, in response to Bryant and Dixon’s motion to compel him for a deposition in a December 15 filing, Mr. Slim Shady countered their arguments and requested a protective order, @allhiphopcom reports.
In his latest move, Eminem has asked the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to grant him a protective order from having to appear in person for a deposition. Eminem claimed three people, including his manager Paul Rosenberg, are more qualified to answer questions regarding his Shady trademark….I mean, who can blame him? Sitting in a room with the Real Housewives could be a dangerous affair. Drama levels might reach an all-time high, and we all know Eminem is no stranger to controversy.
Eminem’s legal team argues that the efforts of Bryant and Dixon to depose him are “premature and procedurally improper.” They claim that the Real Housewives have yet to serve Eminem with a notice of deposition, which is apparently a necessary prerequisite in the legal world.
Furthermore, Eminem’s lawyers argue that even if he were to be deposed, it wouldn’t provide any essential information in the case. They claim that the rapper has “limited knowledge of the subjects at issue” and that other professionals on his team possess a “superior knowledge of said issues.” Ouch, that’s gotta hurt.
In fact, Eminem’s legal team goes so far as to say that three people on his team, including his manager Paul Rosenberg, have “equal and superior knowledge” to him on the relevant topics. So basically, they’re saying that Eminem is just a figurehead in this whole trademark battle. Talk about a blow to the ego.
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But let’s not forget about the Real Housewives themselves. Bryant and Dixon have made no attempt to obtain the discovery they seek through “more convenient and less burdensome means,” according to Eminem’s lawyers. They claim that the duo has taken no depositions to date and have made no attempt to assess whether they can obtain the relevant information from other sources.
So, what does Eminem want in all of this? Well, his lawyers are asking the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to issue a protective order that would prevent the deposition of Marshall Mathers III. In other words, they want to shield the rap legend from any further involvement in this legal tussle.
As some are aware, Eminem has owned the trademark for “Shady” to be used on merchandise. He also exclusively used either Slim Shady or for entertainment services since 1998. Meanwhile, Bryant and Dixon launched the Reasonably Shady podcast in November 2021. They have new episodes dropping weekly every Monday.
Whether or not he’ll come out on top in this trademark battle remains to be seen. But one thing’s for sure – Eminem knows how to keep us entertained, both on and off the stage.
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