Case Summary

5022 REVIEW DENIED. A memorabilia company brought a malicious prosecution action against a law firm and one of its attorneys who represented the executors of the estate of Diana, Princess of Wales and the trustees of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund against the company for trademark infringement and other causes of action stemming from the company's use of the image and likeness of the Princess. Because the defendant firm and attorney lacked probable cause to bring and maintain the underlying suit, the trial court improperly directed a verdict in their favor.

FRANKLIN MINT CO v MANATT (Stealing Princess Diana's Name) 184 CA4 313 REV DENIED [See Lanham Act, 15 USC § 1125(a), (c); In re Carson (T.T.A.B. 1977) 197 U.S.P.Q. 554; Estate of Presley v Russen (D.N.J. 1981) 513 F. Supp. 1339]