The Village People are threatening legal action against celebrity chef Jamie Oliver after he allegedly dressed up as members of the band to advertise his latest TV show.
To promote his latest cooking show, Jamie's American Road Trip, Jamie Oliver dresses up as a cowboy, a policeman, a sailor and a construction worker.
Sound familiar?
Oliver is seen strutting through an airport dressed as the characters to the sound of the Village People's 1979 single "Go West."Now, let's bring in the lawyers.
Attorneys for the band are threatening legal action for the infringing of trademark rights.
The name and costumes are trademarked in the US and the Village People's attorney, John Giacobbi, claims the group was never approached to use the characters in the commercial.
A lawyer for the Village People, the iconic group from the 1970s and 1980s, has threatened legal action against a British network for airing a promotion with star chef Jamie Oliver dressed as all six members.
Channel 4 is running a trailer for Oliver's TV program and a spokesperson for Channel 4 insists the accusations are unfounded, stating: "We are confident that the promotional campaign for Jamie's American Road Trip does not infringe any copyright/trademark rights which the Village People may have. No parties have received a formal legal claim from the Village People and, if one is received, it will be vigorously defended."
Note to village people: forget the lawsuit, and enjoy more publicity than you've had in years.
