On February 29, 2019, ICSD staff and students learned that Superintendent Luvelle Brown, better known as “Big Luve,” would be using the district’s legal team to sue the Louvre Museum for trademark infringement. The Louvre Museum, established in 1793, was surprised to hear of the suit, and plans to defend itself in court on April 1.
“To me, this is a blatant violation of longstanding trademark law,” said Rohil Khatkhate ‘20, president of the IHS Mock Trial Club, which is consulting the ICSD legal team in the case. “The name ‘Louvre’ is confusingly similar to Big Luve, and fans may have a tough time distinguishing between the two. Who knows how much profit they’ve made off of this similarity?” Although the IHS Mock Trial team found clear grounds for a suit, potential flaws may exist in the case. The Louvre responded to an initial cease and desist letter by stating that Big Luve and the Louvre exist in different industries and different geographic areas, and that the Louvre had rights to the name first.
The ICSD legal team was swift in responding to these claims, stating, “The Louvre may have existed for over two centuries, but Superintendent Brown has always been Big Luve. As the NY Superintendent of the Year, a bestselling author, and a bodybuilding icon, the museum has been defrauding Big Luve’s worldwide fanbase since its foundation. He transcends borders and industries. He’s more popular than Jesus. It’s time for justice.”
While Superintendent Brown couldn’t be reached for comment, a letter from Big Luve to the Louvre was uncovered by the Tattler. He was succinct in his remarks, stating, “I have the power of God and anime on my side. Do you really want to mess with me?” He attached an image with his letter, displaying his incredibly threatening physique.
With the odds stacked against its favor, the Louvre has had to look elsewhere to construct its defense. “We can’t be guilty if we didn’t know about him, right?” said a spokesperson for the museum at a press conference. Tattler foreign correspondent Karuna Prasad ‘20 was quick to point out that it is, in fact, impossible to not know about Superintendent Brown.
As both parties gear up for the legal showdown in April, ICSD has been clear in outlining its rewards for damages. “We think the Mona Lisa would look pretty great in the proposed welcome center in Activities #CapitalProject” tweeted Superintendent Brown. Of course, if the Louvre is unwilling to part ways with the priceless piece, the district has said that they’d instead accept a settlement equivalent to the Mona Lisa’s estimated $730 million value.