Joustin Beaver App Creator Sues Justin Bieber, Claims First Amendment Rights
RC3, the company behind the satirical mobile app Joustin Beaver has filed a lawsuit against Justin Bieber after the singers camp claimed that the company’s mobile app violated Beiber’s trademarks.
The company insists that the apps satirical nature is protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The feud began after Bieber’s team sent a cease-and-desist letter.
Filing the claim was a preemptive strike by RC3 as it attempts to have the court declare that no laws have been violated.
In the lawsuit RC3 admits that the game was created in the footsteps of Beibermania:
“In an effort to comment upon the Defendant’s life, the Plaintiff, RC3 developed the aforementioned App entitled “Joustin’ Beaver.” The App, a video game, is a parody of the commercial success of the Defendant and any celebrity. The parody app portrays a beaver floating on a log down a river. The beaver presents with bangs, a lance, and a purple sweater. The beaver knocks ‘Phot-Hogs’ that are attempting to take his photograph into the river with his lance. The beaver also signs ‘Otter-graphs.’ The beaver also must dodge the ‘whirlpool of success,’ which will lead beaver out of control, while navigating the river.”
Because of the “Joustin Beaver” name Justin Bieber’s legal team is likely to argue that the app may draw confusion for some consumers.
Do you think R3C is trampling on Justin Bieber’s rights or should the mobile app that was created be protected under first amendment rights based on the fact that it’s an obvious Justin Bieber parody?
