The owner of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders has sued My Chemical Romance and concert promoter Live Nation over dancers who wore look-alike uniforms during the band’s Hollywood Bowl performance in Los Angeles.
Pro Silver Star Ltd, which owns the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders brand, filed a motion in Dallas County District Court seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. It wants the performers barred from wearing the distinctive blue-and-white costumes at future shows, and is also seeking unspecified damages.
My Chemical Romance concert performance
The dispute centres on the band’s 21 October concert, part of a five-night Hollywood Bowl residency celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Black Parade.
During a performance of “Teenagers”, female dancers appeared in costumes resembling the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ uniforms. Court documents say they later took prop rifles on stage and joined a staged firefight before being depicted as having been shot.
Pro Silver Star claims the use of the costumes damaged the reputation and goodwill associated with the cheerleading brand. It also alleges that concertgoers and social media users mistakenly believed the dancers were official members of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
The company says it sent My Chemical Romance a cease-and-desist letter on 22 October, asking the band to stop using the disputed outfits. According to the filing, the request was rejected.
“Silver Star takes no issue with MCR’s music, its artistic ambitions, or any message Defendants seek to convey,” the legal action states. “Silver Star asks only that those performers not wear the DCC Uniform while doing it.”
The filing describes the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders uniform as an instantly recognisable symbol of the entertainment brand and argues that its appearance is protected as trade dress.
My Chemical Romance were scheduled to continue their Hollywood Bowl run on Saturday, with further performances due on 30 and 31 October. Fan-filmed footage reported by music media appeared to show dancers returning in similar costumes at a subsequent concert.
Neither My Chemical Romance nor Live Nation has publicly commented on the legal action. The claims have not been determined by a court.
The case comes days after the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders secured recognition for a new union, which is expected to represent squad members in collective bargaining over pay and working conditions.
