category
Dec 9, 2025
The ARIAs and a trademark feud with Eminem no one saw coming
Britain News
Its been a rough week with a number of brilliant musicians departing for the great gig in the sky. Music guruDavid Kowalskihas the latest.
IN THE NEWS this week is a story from one of our favourite topics in the music world trademark infringement.
A small Australian independent beach accessorycompanyis in the crosshairs of the legal team of U.S. hip-hop starEminem. The company, that makes bags and swimwear, is in trouble with theU.S. Trademark and Copyright Officeover their business name and the name of their own unique style of beach umbrella, called the 'Swim Shady'.
Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has had a trademark reserved in the USA since the late 1990s for his alter-ego Slim Shady, which has been used inalbum titlesand used in various now well-knownsongs. Mathers has said that the Australian beachwear brands name is too close to his and has applied to register that Swim Shady infringes his trademark.
Perhaps he has a point. However, does a small company from Australia, the creators of whom clearly are making a nod towards one of their favourite artists have any recourse here? According toRolling Stone, Swim Shady had applied to register their trademark in the U.S. Trademark Office on September 23rd 2025, and on the 29th of the same month, Eminem lodged a protest. Perhaps the beachwear brand shouldve kept the name in Australia only and chosen something else in the USA, similar to howBurger KingandHungry Jackscannot co-exist in Australia for similar reasons.
Swim Shady have just about exhausted their 60 days to respond to Eminems legal team, however well keep watch on the outcome of the dispute
The2025 ARIA Awardshave been and gone for another year. An eventful night by all accounts, with some trulybizarre fashionon the red carpet. The bigwinnersof the night were Melbourne punksAmyl and the Sniffers, who took home four awards (Best Cover Art, Best Group, Best Rock Album and Album of the Year for their third albumCartoon Darkness). Up-and-com
