Gay porn star Lexus claims he chose his moniker for the Greek god. Japan-based car company Toyota thinks otherwise – and they want sweet, litigious revenge:
The U.S. branch of the Japanese automaker recently sent a communiqué to Daniel Grangier, president and CEO of Switzerland-based Eboys Studios, regarding one of his stars, who goes by the screen name “Lexus.” (Lexus has appeared in such fine films as CumEater and SpunkLand.)
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[Says] M. Eric T. Fingerhut, the Washington, D.C., attorney representing Toyota: “If Eboys Studio does not comply, “Toyota may have no choice but to take legal action in order to protect its trademark rights.”
Eboys president Daniel Grangier also promised to fight a legal battle, A judge would have to decide if such [a] trademark can prohibit us [from using] the name of a Greek god in our movies.”
Now, it’s been a while since we studied Greek mythology, but we don’t recall a “Lexus”. Nor can we find any example of said god online. Anyone out there got a clue, because it sounds like Lexus may need one…
Gregg
It is short for Alexus or Alexis, which is Greek for “protector”. The only site speaking about a Greek God that I can find is a satire of Wikipedia called Uncyclopedia.
hells kitchen guy
Was that Japanese baseball player’s porn name Toyota?
timf
also Αλεξιος (Alexios) which meant “helper” or “defender”, derived from Greek αλεξω (alexo) “to defend, to help”.
Sounds like Toyota has a case.
andrew
It totally sounds like Toyota has a case. The poor schmuck Lexus – or is it Alexus?! – definitely needs some lawyerly protection.
Tiger
Toyota’s case has NO merit because no one is going to confuse a porn actor with a car company. Toyota has to prove that the porn actor will cause confusion in the market place. The actor’s name might cause some giggles, but there won’t be any confusion.
That said. “Lexus” may change his name just to avoid the hassle of going to court.
REBELCOMX
There is no Greek God named Lexus. Toyota created the name by trying to morph together the words Luxury and Elegance. But it doesn’t matter because the porn actor is clearly not a car, therefore he is not in the same “product market” and does not infringe on their copyright. Gods know how many drag queens there are using that name. Does toyota plan on suing anyone who happens to have the last name of Toyota while they’re at it?
Gregg
Lexus is also listed in many Baby Name books, so it seems logical that an actor could use it as a stage name without having anything to do with the car.
Superman
Toyota is just upset because their made-up car name is being used by a GAY PORN actor. If it became the name of a rich heir or heiress (such as ‘Lexus Hilton’), then it wouldn’t be a problem at all. I’d change the name just because it sounds dumb anyway, and Toyota doesn’t deserve the free publicity for this. There has to be an actual Greek god’s name that would fit much better.
Grazel
Well it’s hard to say. Lexus is an established short name for Alexius which is Greek for protector. While not a common name it is a legitimate name predating the car company and the brand. If they have a case for that then McDonald’s could sue every family who’s surname is McDonald of which there are more than a few.