Goldenvoice filed a lawsuit against Live Nation earlier this month, alleging that the firm is attempting to hold an event with a moniker that is confusingly similar to another well-known showcase. Coachella Day One 22 was supposed to take place on New Year’s Eve in California, but due to a new judge’s judgment, some alterations will have to be made. Judge R. Gary Klausner granted Goldenvoice a restraining order against Live Nation over the event, which has a moniker similar to the former’s Coachella festival, which is planned to take place in April 2022, according to Rolling Stone.
Judge Klausner ruled that Goldenvoice is “likely to succeed” with its copyright infringement argument against Live Nation. While the ruling will require Live Nation to make some changes, it does not stop them from hosting the festival as planned. With the restraining order, Judge Klausner called Live Nation’s argument “simply unpersuasive,” adding it “does not rebut the presumption of irreparable harm.”
The ruling comes after Goldenvoice filed two separate cease-and-desist letters to Live Nation in October and November for promoting and selling tickets for Coachella Day One 22. The original lawsuit was filed against Live Nation instead of the festival’s organizers, Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians because the indigenous tribe that operates the venue Coachella Crossroads — where Coachella Day One 22 was set to be held — is “entitled to sovereign immunity and therefore not subject to suit.”
Twenty-Nine Palms earlier attempted to file a copyright for “Coachella Crossroads,” but were denied due to confusion with the Coachella festival. However, after submitting a second application and stating that they would only host community and sporting activities, they were allowed. Despite this, they continue to promote music-related events at the facility, such as a Toby Keith performance in May.
