How is this not Wickedly Illegal?
Posted: 3/4/25 at 2:19pm
I smell another Willy's Chocolate Experience.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 2:24pm
I can't imagine having the bandwith to worry about something like this?
People do this all the time? It felt like for a while we had new IP themed pop-ups every week here in Chicago. They're not performing the play. Nobody is going there thinking they're going to see the play. Even if it was illegal, what would be the harm? The characters from The Wizard of Oz are in the public domain and have been for a long time. If they're performing songs at the venue, they will likely have paid the appropriate fees. I'm not sure they'll deal much with copyright outside of the songs? While unlikely, it's entirely possible they paid Gregory Mcguire, Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman and John Chu a ton of money and got their permission in person. We have no idea. Which is why... who gives a ****?
Updated On: 3/4/25 at 02:24 PM
Posted: 3/4/25 at 2:50pm
Thank you for this posting! I am going to use this in my Entertainment Law class, where we are currently covering trademarks and unfair competition. These images are fabulous.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 3:01pm
I live near this place. The burritos are good, at least.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 3:31pm
Is it illegal use? Yeah, but don't be a narc on people using things that have made hundreds of millions of dollars in profit to bring in revenue to their establishments. You'll see things like this all over this city from parties, Drag Brunches, and illegal screenings. Studios and Capitalism aren't your friend and You'll never be rewarded to bending the knee to them.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 3:38pm
TheatreFan4 said: "Is it illegal use? Yeah, but don't be a narc on people using things that have made hundreds of millions of dollars in profit to bring in revenue to their establishments. You'll see things like this all over this city from parties, Drag Brunches, and illegal screenings. Studios and Capitalism aren't your friend and You'll never be rewarded to bending the knee to them."
Well, that's an "interesting" take on illegal activity.
To be honest, the worst thing they seem to be doing is using the likeness of the Wicked poster. They arent' (likely) doing anything worse than what the singing waiters do at Ellen's and the like.
Looks like a horrid experience, to me, tbh.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 4:01pm
dramamama611 said: "
Well, that's an "interesting" take on illegal activity.
Illegal ≠ Bad
Plenty of **** is illegal, if the Administration gets what they want plenty of our lives are going to be effectively illegal. I don't care about Trademark Law as it pertains to a Cafe or Drag Show cashing in.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 4:04pm
It seems to me that the only illegal aspect is in their marketing materials/posters/etc. The Wizard of Oz and its characters are now in the public domain. So they can absolutely have a "wicked witch" and "good witch" themed party without running afoul of anyone. But their menus, window poster, and other print/ad materials have clearly ripped the key art from the Broadway production. Unless they obtained permission from the show (highly doubtful), then this is illegal usage. The thing is...how likely is the production going to spend resources going after them to collect royalties and/or shut them down? It's in Astoria, so I doubt they are drawing away tourist business from the show. Events like this just speak to the overall popularity and demand for their brand, so unless it becomes a much bigger deal, they probably won't waste time sending a cease and desist.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 4:30pm
MayAudraBlessYou2 said: "It seems to me that the only illegal aspect is in their marketing materials/posters/etc. The Wizard of Oz and its characters are now in the public domain. So they can absolutely have a "wicked witch" and "good witch" themed party without running afoul of anyone. But their menus, window poster, and other print/ad materials have clearly ripped the key art from the Broadway production.Unless they obtained permission from the show (highly doubtful), then this is illegal usage. The thing is...how likely is the production going to spend resources going after them to collect royalties and/or shut them down? It's in Astoria, so I doubt they are drawing away tourist business from the show. Events like this just speak to the overall popularity and demand for their brand, so unless it becomes a much bigger deal, they probably won't waste time sending a cease and desist."
Marc Platt and David Stone have a small army of legal reps on retainer -- so I imagine the Cease and Desist has already gone out.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 5:23pm
This definitely is the perfect venue to host a WICKED themed event.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 5:24pm
That's really all it would take.
Posted: 3/4/25 at 5:28pm
The really objectionable thing here is that they are using the Broadway art and movie poster to promote it, making it look like it's an "official" event.
Otherwise, it looks.. like a 10-year-old's birthday party thrown by a mom who has some time on her hands.
Updated On: 3/4/25 at 05:28 PM
