Eminem has asked the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to grant him a protective order so he doesn't have to appear in person to testify as a trademark dispute with “Real Housewives of Potomac” stars Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon continues.
The 51-year-old artist, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, filed papers on Dec. 15 requesting that he be allowed to skip making a statement to the Bravo personalities, AllHipHop reported Friday after reviewing documents on the matter .
The Detroit native filed suit against Bryant, 53, and Dixon, 44, earlier this year, refusing to receive a trademark for the name of their podcast Reasonably Shady because it “could cause confusion among consumers.”
In documents filed earlier this month by the Grammy-winning rapper's lawyers, the rapper's attorneys called the Bravo stars' efforts to compel him to testify under oath “premature and procedurally inappropriate.”
The “Without Me” artist's attorneys said that Bryant and Dixon Eminem “have yet to serve an affidavit, a necessary condition for the Board to accept and request a deposition.”
Eminem, 51, has asked the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to grant him a temporary restraining order to prevent him from appearing in person to testify amid a trademark dispute with “Real Housewives of Potomac” stars Gizelle Bryant, 53, and Robyn Dixon, 44, continues. Pictured in LA last year
Bryant and Dixon, pictured in Las Vegas last month, were embroiled in a trademark dispute with the artist this year
The “Lose Yourself” rapper's legal team said that even if Eminem was placed in the “unduly burdensome” position of deposition, it would not provide any material information in the case.
Eminem has “limited knowledge of the subject matter” and any information obtained through his questioning would likely be “duplicate” because other professionals on his team have “superior knowledge of these topics.”
Bryant and Dixon “have made no attempt to obtain the discovery they seek through more convenient and less burdensome means,” the Love the Way You Lie actor's attorneys told TTAB.
Eminem's lawyers said three people on his team, including manager Paul Rosenberg, had “equal and superior skills.” [him] on the relevant topics.'
Bryant and Dixon have “not made any statements to date” and “have made no attempt to assess whether they will be able to obtain the relevant information from said individuals,” Eminem's lawyers said.
The attorneys asked the TTAB to “issue a protective order preventing the removal of Marshall Mathers III.”
According to Page Six, Eminem initially filed an objection to the RHOP stars receiving a trademark for their Reasonably Shady podcast on February 14.
Eminem said in the documents that his brand would be “damaged” if the trademark was granted and that the trademark for the podcast “could cause confusion among consumers.”
In February, Eminem filed an opposition to a trademark application filed by Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon for their podcast Reasonably Shady
He also claimed that the branding of the podcast could “cause confusion in the minds of consumers.”
The reality stars, who have both starred on Bravo's “Real Housewives of Potomac” since it premiered in 2016, registered the trademark weeks earlier with the intention of selling merchandise under the podcast name
Eminem owns the “Shady” trademark for use on merchandise and has only used Slim Shady or for entertainment services since 1998.
Bryant and Dixon, who have both starred on Bravo's “Real Housewives of Potomac” since it premiered in 2016, filed the trademark weeks earlier with the intention of selling merchandise under the podcast name.
The duo plans to sell products such as water bottles, lip gloss, sweatshirts, hats, jackets and socks that would bear the podcast's name.
Bryant and Dixon launched the Reasonably Shady podcast in November 2021, with new episodes released weekly every Monday.
The show “features conversations about the lives of fearless women as they share stories from their exciting lives.”
Bryant and Dixon explore topics such as “dating, relationships, marriage, entrepreneurs, motherhood, style, glamour, current events and more.”
The show was a huge success and was nominated for Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards in 2022.
Both also celebrated reaching the 5 million download milestone for their podcast earlier this year.
The duo wanted to sell products like water bottles, lip gloss, sweatshirts, hats, jackets and socks that would bear the podcast's name. Pictured in 2022 in NYC
Bryant and Dixon launched the Reasonably Shady podcast in November 2021, with new episodes released weekly every Monday
The show “features conversations about being fearless women as they share stories from their exciting lives.”
Bryant took to Instagram in February to celebrate with a heartfelt post with her 709,000 followers.
“SOOO EXCITED! “In less than two years, our little @reasonablyshady podcast has over 5 MILLION downloads,” Bryant began.
“Thanks for listening! Thank you for the love and support! We really appreciate being part of the @blackeffectfamily. “Thank you @iheartradio,” she concluded.