Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a lawsuit against investment platform OpenDeal (operating as Republic) for alleged trademark infringement of UMG's Republic Records marks following Republic's expansion into music investments.

The legal action, filed in a New York federal court, comes after Republic announced its entry into music investments in October. UMG promptly sent a cease-and-desist letter requesting Republic to operate under a different name for its music-related services.

Key points of the lawsuit:

• Republic launched a music investment service on November 4th, featuring a stake in Lil Pump's upcoming track "Mona Lisa"
• The offering reached its $500,000 maximum funding within two hours
• UMG claims Republic's use of the name in music-related services targets the same audience as Republic Records
• The alleged trademark infringement extends to various music industry services, including sound recordings, merchandise, and royalty payments
• UMG doesn't object to Republic's use of the name for non-music investment services

The lawsuit cites specific instances of confusion, including:

• A music industry publication incorrectly categorizing articles about Republic's investment platform
• A meeting where Nifty Labs executives confused Republic Records with the investment platform's Lil Pump initiative

UMG is seeking both preliminary and permanent injunctions against Republic's use of the mark for music-related services, along with damages for the alleged infringement.

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