Latest news with #Cloobeck
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Ellis George LLP: Proven Problem Solver, Gubernatorial Candidate Villaraigosa Stands on First Amendment to Fight Trademark Suit by Political Rival
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Democratic California Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles Mayor and Speaker of the California Assembly, demanded in a court filing (Case No. 2:25-cv-03790) the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to prevent him from using the phrase 'proven problem solver' in his campaign for California governor. 'Cloobeck's lawsuit is without merit, and his shotgun attempt to register a trademark on some 70 phrases is an insult to the First Amendment." Share In his motion to dismiss filed by Ellis George LLP, Century City, CA, Mr. Villaraigosa says the commonly used phrase 'proven problem solver' is not subject to trademark protection and that preventing him from using the phrase infringes on his rights under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Political opponent Stephen Cloobeck earlier filed to try to trademark the phrase, 'I am a proven problem solver,' and filed his trademark infringement lawsuit against Mr. Villaraigosa and Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2026 on April 29, 2025. Additionally, in preparing the filing, attorneys for Mr. Villaraigosa uncovered a number of occasions, sometimes sordid, where Mr. Cloobeck has used the courts and legal system in an attempt to weaken political, business and even personal rivals. Villaraigosa lawyer Eric M. George stated: 'Cloobeck's lawsuit is without merit, and his shotgun attempt to register a trademark on some 70 phrases is an insult to the First Amendment. Commonly-used words, phrases, speech that are part of political debate and elections cannot be trademarked. Californians are entitled to and deserve robust public debate from candidates when electing a governor.' According to the brief filed by Villaraigosa, '(U)nder Mr. Cloobeck's urged scenario, Mr. Villaraigosa would be violating a court order by describing himself as a 'proven problem solver' in a press conference, in campaign literature, in response to a journalist's questions, or in a campaign debate. To such draconian requests, Mr. Villaraigosa responds: 'Not in this country. Not under our First Amendment—no matter the bullying or wealth used in an attempt to silence a candidate for elected office. And not in keeping with anything I have witnessed during my more than 30 years of public service-including as Mayor of Los Angeles and as Speaker of the Assembly.'' In disputing Mr. Cloobeck's claim on the 'proven problem solver' phrase, Mr. Villaraigosa's brief cites countless instances over prior decades in which politicians before him have used the phrase in speeches, campaign materials and interviews. Mr. Villaraigosa's brief also notes that Mr. Cloobeck's suit is part of a pattern of frivolous litigation to drain rivals of finance and resources. In a text to Mr. Villaraigosa, Mr. Cloobeck said he was prepared to fight this case 'to the Supreme Court… which has been my consistent business practice for decades upon decades.' Mr. Villaraigosa and his campaign seek to have the trademark suit dismissed immediately. About Ellis George LLP Ellis George LLP is an elite litigation and trial firm based in Los Angeles and with offices in San Francisco and New York. Whether plaintiff or defendant, individual, Fortune 500 corporation or entrepreneur, clients call upon Ellis George when seeking litigation counsel of the highest quality, creativity, dedication, and ethics. Visit for more information.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ellis George LLP: Proven Problem Solver, Gubernatorial Candidate Villaraigosa Stands on First Amendment to Fight Trademark Suit by Political Rival
Cites violation of free speech and history of legal bad-behavior LOS ANGELES, June 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Democratic California Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles Mayor and Speaker of the California Assembly, demanded in a court filing (Case No. 2:25-cv-03790) the dismissal of a lawsuit seeking to prevent him from using the phrase "proven problem solver" in his campaign for California governor. In his motion to dismiss filed by Ellis George LLP, Century City, CA, Mr. Villaraigosa says the commonly used phrase "proven problem solver" is not subject to trademark protection and that preventing him from using the phrase infringes on his rights under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Political opponent Stephen Cloobeck earlier filed to try to trademark the phrase, "I am a proven problem solver," and filed his trademark infringement lawsuit against Mr. Villaraigosa and Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor 2026 on April 29, 2025. Additionally, in preparing the filing, attorneys for Mr. Villaraigosa uncovered a number of occasions, sometimes sordid, where Mr. Cloobeck has used the courts and legal system in an attempt to weaken political, business and even personal rivals. Villaraigosa lawyer Eric M. George stated: "Cloobeck's lawsuit is without merit, and his shotgun attempt to register a trademark on some 70 phrases is an insult to the First Amendment. Commonly-used words, phrases, speech that are part of political debate and elections cannot be trademarked. Californians are entitled to and deserve robust public debate from candidates when electing a governor." According to the brief filed by Villaraigosa, "(U)nder Mr. Cloobeck's urged scenario, Mr. Villaraigosa would be violating a court order by describing himself as a 'proven problem solver' in a press conference, in campaign literature, in response to a journalist's questions, or in a campaign debate. To such draconian requests, Mr. Villaraigosa responds: 'Not in this country. Not under our First Amendment—no matter the bullying or wealth used in an attempt to silence a candidate for elected office. And not in keeping with anything I have witnessed during my more than 30 years of public service-including as Mayor of Los Angeles and as Speaker of the Assembly.'" In disputing Mr. Cloobeck's claim on the "proven problem solver" phrase, Mr. Villaraigosa's brief cites countless instances over prior decades in which politicians before him have used the phrase in speeches, campaign materials and interviews. Mr. Villaraigosa's brief also notes that Mr. Cloobeck's suit is part of a pattern of frivolous litigation to drain rivals of finance and resources. In a text to Mr. Villaraigosa, Mr. Cloobeck said he was prepared to fight this case "to the Supreme Court… which has been my consistent business practice for decades upon decades." Mr. Villaraigosa and his campaign seek to have the trademark suit dismissed immediately. About Ellis George LLP Ellis George LLP is an elite litigation and trial firm based in Los Angeles and with offices in San Francisco and New York. Whether plaintiff or defendant, individual, Fortune 500 corporation or entrepreneur, clients call upon Ellis George when seeking litigation counsel of the highest quality, creativity, dedication, and ethics. Visit for more information. View source version on Contacts Media Contact:Jim Goldman, GoldmanMediaGroup, for Ellis George LLPinfo@ 408-427-4349 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cloobeck sues Villaraigosa over use of the phrase 'proven problem solver'
In an unusual twist in the governor's race, a wealthy Democratic businessman is suing former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa over the use of a common phrase in political campaigns. Stephen Cloobeck, a philanthropist and Democratic donor who made his fortune in real estate and hospitality, filed a lawsuit against Villaraigosa this week after the former mayor repeatedly described himself as a "proven problem solver" in campaign materials. Cloobeck, who has applied for a federal trademark of the phrase "I am a proven problem solver,' texted the federal lawsuit to Villaraigosa late Tuesday, though the former mayor has not been served yet. The lawsuit argues that Cloobeck has been using the phrase since March 2024, and that "it has acquired extensive goodwill, developed a high degree of distinctiveness, and become famous, well known, and recognized as identifying Cloobeck's campaign." "In light of the fame, acquired goodwill, and overall consumer recognition of [the phrase Cloobeck is seeking to patent, he] is very concerned that the public will likely be confused or mistakenly believe that Villaraigosa's campaign is endorsed, approved, sponsored by, or affiliated, connected, or associated with" Villaraigosa, the suit alleges. Cloobeck and Villaraigosa are two Democrats running in an increasingly crowded 2026 gubernatorial field to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom. Read more: Who is running for California governor in 2026? Meet the candidates Representatives for Villaraigosa were incredulous that a phrase that's used by politicians and elected officials across the nation would be the subject of litigation. "This is completely ludicrous. This lawsuit is a joke,' said Josh Pulliam, a strategist on the Villaraigosa gubernatorial campaign. 'Antonio launched his campaign on his record as a proven problem solver, and Cloobeck wants to prevent him from saying that? We think it's totally ridiculous and Trump-like tactics. Who knows what he's going to go after next?' Cloobeck said he sought to get Villaraigosa, who he has known for a quarter-century, to stop using the phrase and only filed the lawsuit after a lack of response to texts, phone calls and requests for a face-to-face meeting. "The response from them — or the lack of response from Antonio to me — is frankly offensive," he said, adding that they had lunch at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills six weeks ago. "You can be friends and have a business disagreement." Legal scholars said the lawsuit has little chance of success. 'The claim that this is a unique or distinctive phrase that could be trademarked is very difficult to succeed on. In the political context, people would want to tread even more carefully because you don't want to take phrases out of the political debate,' said Jessica Levinson, an election law professor at Loyola Law School. "This sounds more like a political tactic than a legal tactic," Levinson added. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Cloobeck sues Villaraigosa over use of the phrase ‘proven problem solver'
In an unusual twist in the governor's race, a wealthy Democratic businessman is suing former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa over the use of a common phrase in political campaigns. Stephen Cloobeck, a philanthropist and Democratic donor who made his fortune in real estate and hospitality, filed a lawsuit against Villaraigosa this week after the former mayor repeatedly described himself as a 'proven problem solver' in campaign materials. Cloobeck, who has applied for a federal trademark of the phrase 'I am a proven problem solver,' texted the federal lawsuit to Villaraigosa late Tuesday, though the former mayor has not been served yet. The lawsuit argues that Cloobeck has been using the phrase since March 2024, and that 'it has acquired extensive goodwill, developed a high degree of distinctiveness, and become famous, well known, and recognized as identifying Cloobeck's campaign.' 'In light of the fame, acquired goodwill, and overall consumer recognition of [the phrase Cloobeck is seeking to patent, he] is very concerned that the public will likely be confused or mistakenly believe that Villaraigosa's campaign is endorsed, approved, sponsored by, or affiliated, connected, or associated with' Villaraigosa, the suit alleges. Cloobeck and Villaraigosa are two Democrats running in an increasingly crowded 2026 gubernatorial field to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom. Representatives for Villaraigosa were incredulous that a phrase that's used by politicians and elected officials across the nation would be the subject of litigation. 'This is completely ludicrous. This lawsuit is a joke,' said Josh Pulliam, a strategist on the Villaraigosa gubernatorial campaign. 'Antonio launched his campaign on his record as a proven problem solver, and Cloobeck wants to prevent him from saying that? We think it's totally ridiculous and Trump-like tactics. Who knows what he's going to go after next?' Cloobeck said he sought to get Villaraigosa, who he has known for a quarter-century, to stop using the phrase and only filed the lawsuit after a lack of response to texts, phone calls and requests for a face-to-face meeting. 'The response from them — or the lack of response from Antonio to me — is frankly offensive,' he said, adding that they had lunch at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills six weeks ago. 'You can be friends and have a business disagreement.' Legal scholars said the lawsuit has little chance of success. 'The claim that this is a unique or distinctive phrase that could be trademarked is very difficult to succeed on. In the political context, people would want to tread even more carefully because you don't want to take phrases out of the political debate,' said Jessica Levinson, an election law professor at Loyola Law School. 'This sounds more like a political tactic than a legal tactic,' Levinson added.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
California a ‘broken state': Governor hopeful Stephen Cloobeck
(NewsNation) — California enjoys the title of world's fifth-largest economy, but gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck concedes the state is not very affordable for many residents. 'I fixed the most broken of businesses in my career, and California is a broken state,' Cloobeck, former chairman and CEO of Diamond Resorts, told 'NewsNation Now' on Friday. His ideas to turn things around include revamping and simplifying California's entertainment tax credit program to 'solidify our greatest export.' Cloobeck said California is being eclipsed by some of its competitors, including the state of Georgia. Kamala Harris 'absolutely' planning on California governor run: Source The 63-year-old, who frequently appeared on the CBS reality TV show 'Undercover Boss,' is one of several Democrats expected to run for California governor in 2026. The field may include former Vice President Kamala Harris, who is said to be weighing a run. The economy of California, with a gross domestic product of more than $3.5 trillion, ranks fifth in the world, behind the United States, China, Germany and Japan. Cloobeck said tariffs hurt consumers with cost add-ons. 'If we've got these great worldwide economies, and I believe in free trade, why don't we sit down with our partners and say, 'Look, we've got a little trade imbalance here. Let's see if we can find another way of working it out and equalizing it,'' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
