For obvious reasons.
Goldenvoice's Coachella Music Festival has grown to become one of the music industry's most successful, anticipated and branded live music events in the world. As such, it may not be surprising that the company is fiercely protective of its good name. Yesterday (Jan. 28), Coachella's organizers filed a suit in U.S. district court against underground Los Angeles-based event Hoodchella, alleging trademark and service mark infringement, false designation of origin, dilution, unfair competition and, most vividly, "cybersquatting," a term used in this case over the fest's registration of the hoodchella.com domain name.
Hoodchella, run by Kamil Al-Ahdali -- the primary target of the suit -- started last year as a one-day festival on April 11, in the middle of Coachella's first weekend, featuring a slew of DJs and other artists, including some members of the former Odd Future collective, and select food vendors. Recently, its web site announced that Hoodchella would expand to three days this year, running April 8-10, a week prior to Coachella's first weekend. That growth, it seems, is what caught Coachella's attention. Coachells is seeking both injunctive relief to put an immediate stop to the festival, as well as damages.
