Mariah Carey to trademark ‘Queen of Christmas’, faces opposition

August 19, 2022August 19, 2022 Editor

Elizabeth Chan and Darlene Love, who claim they have ties to the “Queen of Christmas” name, are challenging Mariah Carey’s desire to trademark the title

Mariah Carey’s only wish for Christmas is to be crowned “Queen.”

According to CBS News, the singer, 53, submitted an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office in March 2021 in the hopes of legally selling herself as the lone “Queen of Christmas.”

According to the site, Carey — whose song “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has become a famous holiday classic — wants to sell products bearing the title, as well as utilize the term in her music, videos, and other music-based entertainment.

Carey’s claim was disputed when the bid was made public in July 2022 by fellow singers Elizabeth Chan and Darlene Love, who say they have ties to the “Queen of Christmas” appellation.

Chan’s attorney, Louis W. Tompros of Boston-based WilmerHale, filed a formal declaration of opposition against Carey’s trademark claim last week. Chan, who has produced several Christmas music throughout her career — and even published an album named Queen of Christmas in 2021 —

In an interview with Variety, Chan spoke about her decision to pursue legal action and her opposition to Carey being the sole user of the “Queen of Christmas” moniker.

“Christmas came before any of us on earth, and hopefully will come after any of us,” Chan told the outlet. “And I believe that no one person should be able to dominate anything around Christmas in the way that Mariah intends to do in perpetuity. That is simply not the correct course of action. Christmas is a holiday for everyone. It is supposed to be shared rather than possessed.”

“Christmas has come way before any of us on earth, and hopefully will be around way after any of us on earth,” Chan told the publication. “And I feel very strongly that no one person should hold onto anything around Christmas or monopolize it in the way that Mariah seeks to in perpetuity. That’s just not the right thing to do. Christmas is for everyone. It’s meant to be shared; it’s not meant to be owned.”

“It’s not just about the music business,” she continued. “She’s trying to trademark this in every imaginable way — clothing, liquor products, masks, dog collars — it’s all over the map. If you knit a ‘Queen of Christmas’ sweater, you should be able to sell it on Etsy to somebody else so they can buy it for their grandma. It’s crazy — it would have that breadth of registration.”

Meanwhile, Love, 81, who is best known for her work on Phil Spector’s holiday record A Christmas Gift for You — particularly for her iconic “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” — has also spoken out against Carey’s candidacy.

“Does Mariah Carey own the trademark ‘Queen of Christmas’?” This week, Love asked on Facebook. “Does it imply I won’t be able to use that title?”

“David Letterman named me the Queen of Christmas 29 years ago, a year before she released ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ and at 81 years old, I’m NOT altering anything,” she added. “I’ve been in the business for 52 years, earned it, and still can hit those notes!” If Mariah is having a problem, call David or my lawyer!!”

It is unclear, however, if Love has currently taken legal action against Carey’s trademark proposal.

“All I Want for Christmas” was released on Carey’s Merry Christmas album in 1994, and was co-written and produced by the “Vision of Love” musician and Walter Afanasieff.”

It wasn’t until 25 years later, in 2019, that the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. 1 for the first time, however.

Last year, Carey got the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) Diamond Award for the song, making it the first holiday single to achieve the prestigious award.

“The continuous affection for my music never ceases to astound me and flood my heart with a plethora of feelings,” Carey remarked at the time, according to a press statement. “It blows my mind that ‘All I Want for Christmas is You has stood the test of time in the music industry.”

She continued, saying: “What is the RIAA DIAMOND award? Wowww! I’m very grateful to have the best fans on the planet, my Lambily, who continue to support my legacy. I adore you.”