Marlon Brando's estate executors have filed suit against bosses of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company after they licensed boots named after Brando without permission. According to Brando Enterprises executives, which are headed by the actors longtime friend Mike Medavoy, the Harley-Davidson Brando boot line infringes upon and misappropriates the actors name. The suit, which was filed yesterday, shows that Medavoy and two other trustees are looking to recover damages caused by sales and marketing of the unlicensed boot. Medavoy says, "The Marlon Brando name is amoung the most recognised in the world. Only a select few can transcend generations and Marlon Brando is in that rarified group of globally renowned icons. "The entire licensing industry is fully aware of the importance attached to protecting a brand - not only from the perspective of the brand owner but also for the benefit of all licensees, retailers and consumers. Brando Enterprises has succesfully achieved a number of high profile licensing partnerships with a broad range of media and retail licensees - all within the specific parameters set forth by the actor himself." The estate's lawyer, Jeffrey Abrams, said, "It is interesting that Harley-Davidson - a company that is vigorously protective of its own brand - would seek to exploit an iconic property without benefit of a licensing agreement. The flagrant disregard for the law by Harley-Davidson cannot be tolerated. It is our mission to protect the Marlon Brando name and we will pursue any company or individual who infringes on these rights meant to benefit the Brando family."
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