There may be problems in the making for Amalgam Entertainment, a business located in Massachusetts, as a cease and desist letter has been issued over the use of their name. The letter has been issued out by SANDY LAL & ASSOCIATES, P.C. which is located in New York.
Representing Catherine Fandino from Amalgam Entertainment of New York, New York, the firm has stated that their client uses its brand in connection with audio recordings, music production and other related goods and services.
If anyone is lost, simply stated, there are two separate companies using the same title.
The issue that has arisen is the fact that the company located in Massachusetts (Joe Budden, Saigon, Slaughterhouse) has been distributing music under the same moniker, but the rights to the name belong to the company based in New York as they have been using Amalgam since 2003. According to the order, by selling goods that are identical to the company stationed in New York, the Massachusetts based business is guilty of infringement and unfair competition under state law and in violation of the Lanham Act. 15.
To further investigate the ongoing situation, HipHopWired has reached out to both companies in order to obtain further clarity on the ongoing problem.
Speaking with the Creative Director of the Massachusetts based brand, no further comment has been available and they are currently in the process of contacting Sandy LAL & Associates in regards to the claim and will provide their insight after speaking with their legal representatives. According to their website, their company was established in 2005.
In relation to the New York based company, HipHopWired has continued to try and speak with a representative from the firm, but have come up cold as phone calls have yet to be returned.
The cease and desist letter has asked to hear from a representative of the company no later than September, 7.
For all that have been keeping up with the digital label known as Amalgam Digital (Massachusetts), it has recently been on the rise as a label for independent and underground artists as an outlet to release their music. Partnering with E1 Entertainment, which has been running things as it relates to the independent music side, the two labels may have found a way for artists to finally cash in on the residuals of their work and release the material that they feel should be showcased on their albums instead of being controlled by record executives.
Here’s a copy of the cease and desist letter below.
