Could American Express and Unstaged Artists Have a Potential Billion Dollar Lawsuit on Their Hands?

Miami, FL, October 30, 2015 (Newswire.com) - American Express has had quite a long celebrity list participate in Unstaged. Artists such as Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Duran Duran, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, USHER, John Legend & THE ROOTS, Pharrel Williams, Tim McGraw, Maroon 5, and Mary J Blige, have been involved with American Express Unstaged.

Gary Noland claims he is the original owner of the Unstaged name, not American Express. Noland is accusing American Express for using the Unstaged name and the website says "Many of my customers and fans have been asking me about Unstaged and Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Usher, Pharrell, Kings of Leon, Tim Mcgraw, Jack White, Duran Duran, and other major recording artists. I am not working directly with these artists."

Many of my customers and fans have been asking me about Unstaged and Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Usher, Pharrell, Kings of Leon, Tim Mcgraw, Jack White, Duran Duran, and other major recording artists. I am not working directly with these artists."

Gary, Noland

The Unstaged name and idea, according to Gary Noland's website Unstaged.com, is related to music, movies, recording music, recording concert series, and music videos. If American Express and Unstaged artists are unauthorized to use the Unstaged name, could this be major trouble for American Express and performers with a potential mega lawsuit?

According to Gary Noland's website, and domain records, the Unstaged brand, and idea was created by Gary Noland in 2003. The website domain was purchased by Noland in 2005. Noland is accusing American Express of using the Unstaged name.  Although it's yet to be determined who has rights to the name, American Express has used many derivatives of the Unstaged name, such as Unstaged, American Express Unstaged, Amexunstaged.com, and American Express Unstaged Concert Series. Some Artists have also used the Unstaged brand such as Duran Duran Unstaged, and Coldplay Unstaged.

Taylor Swift has had success in previous cases protecting her brand, and has even gone after her previous guitar teacher with  ITaughtTaylorSwift.com. Buzzfeed even reported Taylor Swift’s lawyers threatened Etsy sellers in trademark disputes, and went after her own fans. Will Taylor Swift continue to work with American Express, if details come out that Gary Noland has rights and owns the Unstaged name? 

According to James website Unstaged.com, "We may be releasing more details very soon if they do not agree to resolve this matter. I will not allow them to simply steal my name"

According to domain records, and his website, Gary Noland has been using the brand name since 2003, and is very involved in the music industry. Was American Express ever notified of a potential dispute with the Unstaged name? If Noland files a lawsuit with American Express, in addition to Unstaged artists, discovery on the details could be interesting. 

Several Billion Dollar Lawsuits have recently been filed , one with Uber, and the hit TV Show "Empire". Both Lawsuits allegedly accuse parties of stealing the idea and benefiting from it. Uber was recently hit with a billion dollar lawsuit by a man who claims Travis Kalanick stole his idea and Empire creator, Lee Daniels, sued by Ron Newt seeking $1 billion for allegedly 'stealing idea' concerning the hit tv show.

American Express also has several other potentially damaging lawsuits accusing them of alleged wrongdoing. Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP filed a complaint alleging violations of federal securities laws by American Express Company and certain of its officers and/or directors.

As well as Rosen Law Firm has recently filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit. The complaint alleges that Defendants issued false and misleading statements concerning American Express business and prospects, including the position of its negotiations with U.S. Costco to renew its co-branding agreement, which was set to expire on March 31, 2016.

Will these lawsuits and potential future lawsuits show patterns of mismanagement, and wrongdoing?, If Gary Noland had the Unstaged name in 2003, could this lead to a mega lawsuit for American Express as well as Unstaged artists?