Michelle Cross, the self-termed “Legally Blonde Atlanta” DUI attorney, is now under fire from movie studio MGM for her usage of their copyrighted phrase. After receiving a cease and desist letter from the movie giant, Cross has decided to take down the related billboards, but she isn’t ready to give up her Instagram handle just yet – a platform where she commands a sizeable following under the same moniker.
The story, as first reported by Law.com, details Cross’ struggles in retaining her brand’s identity, fashioned after the famous comedy film ‘Legally Blonde’. The Atlanta-based attorney runs a practice named ‘Atlanta’s Law Firm’ and has made a considerable impact with her memorable branding.
Cross is planning her next move strategically. “I might use ‘Illegally Blonde’,” she jests, whilst confirming she is currently consulting with an intellectual property lawyer to tackle the issue at hand. Until an agreement or solution comes forth, Cross intends to repost her billboards with the controversial phrase being aptly covered.
It’s worth watching how this copyright battle unfolds in the coming months, especially considering the vague nature of copyright and trademark laws in relation to social media platforms. Beyond specific legal outcomes, this incident also raises important questions on personal branding and its inevitable clash with intellectual property rights – a growing concern as more legal professionals leverage social media to build their reputation.