![]() Presley became indelibly linked to Las Vegas in the 1960s and 70s. The order should not translate into legal action against Elvis-themed stage shows in Las Vegas because impersonating someone for live performances is considered an exception under Nevada’s right of publicity law, said Mark Tratos, a local attorney who helped write the statute. The licensing company oversees the estates of other big names including Marilyn Monroe and Muhammad Ali. “Elvis is embedded into the fabric of Las Vegas history.” “We are seeking to partner with each of these small businesses to ensure that their use of Elvis’ name, image and likeness are officially licensed and authorized by the estate, so they can continue their operations,” Authentic Brands Group said. In a statement, Authentic Brands Group said it had strong relationships with Elvis tribute artists and fan festivals and said there was “no intention to shut down chapels that offer Elvis packages in Las Vegas”. The letter also said “Elvis”, “Elvis Presley” and “The King of Rock and Roll” were protected trademarks. In the cease-and-desist letter, the company said it would halt unauthorized use of “Presley’s name, likeness, voice image, and other elements of Elvis Presley’s persona in advertisements, merchandise and otherwise”. Graceland Wedding Chapel, which performs 6,400 Elvis-themed weddings a year, had not been served a warning yet, according to its manager, Rod Musum. One chapel last weekend had its Elvis impersonator change into a leather jacket, jeans and a fedora for a “rock’n’roll” ceremony, the Review-Journal reported. “A number of people might lose their livelihood.” ![]() “It might destroy a portion of our wedding industry,” Goya said. The Vegas wedding industry generates $2bn a year and officials say Elvis-themed weddings represent a significant number of ceremonies performed. The Clark county clerk, Lynn Goya, who led a marketing campaign promoting Las Vegas as a wedding destination, said the order for chapels to stop using Elvis couldn’t have come at a worse time. We were just hitting our stride again through Covid, then this happens.” “We are a family-run business and now we’re hanging with the big dogs,” said Kayla Collins, operator of and the Little Chapel of Hearts. But with Elvis so closely tied to the Vegas wedding industry, some say the move could damage business. Authentic Brands Group sent cease-and-desist letters in early May to multiple chapels, which are expected to be compliant by now. ![]()
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