Yoko Ono Sues Lennon

Yoko Ono is suing Lennon - a heavy rock band called Lennon, that is.

The widow of John Lennon has taken offence at Lennon Murphy naming her band after her forename. Ono wants the band’s trademark cancelled for “fraudulently" registering the name and “tarnishing” the Beatles star.

Ono believes that Murphy is intentionally exploiting the name to confuse people and increase the profile of her band. (Ironically, this lawsuit is probably the best publicity Murphy will ever receive). She has filed for a cancellation of the copyright to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Murphy has hit back, claiming that Yoko was asked in 2000 whether the name Lennon could be used for her debut album on Arista Records and didn’t object.

In an open letter, Murphy said: “I'm not sure what confusion I could be causing since I don't have the $50,000 to hire a lawyer and fight this. If people were confusing me with John Lennon and accidentally buying my records I should have more than enough money to live my life and hire a lawyer?

“Lennon is my first name by birth and I am regularly asked if I was named after the Beatle, having always replied no. My mother named me after "John Lennon that wrote songs, painted, and baked bread with his son". She named me for the man, not the pop star.”

John Lennon’s son Julian has given his backing to Murphy, posting her letter on his Myspace and stating: “I feel for her and know the situation well. She has my full support.”