Feld Entertainment settled its trademark infringement suit with rock star Kid Rock over Rock’s use of the tagline “The Greatest Show on Earth” to promote his tour earlier this year. Details of the settlement weren’t released, but a payment was made to Feld, a Feld spokeswoman said.

Feld, which purchased Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (and its trademarks) in 1967, sued Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Richie, and tour promotor Live Nation Entertainment, in late December seeking damages and an injunction, alleging that using the phrase to promote the 21-stop tour was “antithetical to the family-friendly reputation of the trademark.”  Feld said about it generated more than $50 million annually between 2012 and 2017 for promotions and merchandise using the phrase.

Kid Rock changed the name of his tour to “The American Rock N Roll Tour” shortly before it began in January, but argued in court documents that he could have used the phrase under the First Amendment. The change, Rock said, was made “because I did not want the lawsuit to distract me or my fans from focusing on what important in my tour – my music.” The tour ended in late August.

The lawsuit came as Feld moved to protect Ringling Bros. trademarks after its circus tours ended in May 2017. At the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando this week, it unveiled plans to license the brand in such categories as location-based entertainment, theme park rides, apparel and other categories.

Contact:

Feld Entertainment, Juliette Feld, Chief Operating Officer, 941-721-1200, jfeld@feldinc.com