Backlash As Mariah Carey Tries To Trademark 'Queen Of Christmas'

There’s no escaping Mariah Carey when the festive season arrives and while many might already consider her to be the 'Queen Of Christmas', the singer’s attempt to trademark the name has been met with backlash.

Holiday music singers Darlene Love and Elizabeth Chan, both of whom have had associations with the title for years, have hit back at Carey’s attempts to claim the trademark.

It’s been reported that Chan has filed a formal declaration of opposition to the trademark request, which Carey’s lawyers submitted back in March 2021, stating that it would likely cause “confusion" and that it should be rejected due to "false suggestion of a connection with persons, living or dead, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols".

It’s expected Carey would use the name for music as well as merchandise, beauty products and more.

After being alerted to Chan’s submission, Love, who played a major role on 1963’s A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector album, posted a statement to her Facebook.

“Is it true that Mariah Carey trade marked ‘Queen of Christmas’?” she said.

“What does that mean that I can’t use that title? David Letterman officially declared me the Queen of Christmas 29 years ago, a year before she released All I want For Christmas Is You and at 81 years of age I’m NOT changing anything. 

“I’ve been in the business for 52 years, have earned it and can still hit those notes! If Mariah has a problem call David or my lawyer!!”

Speaking with Variety, Chan said: “Christmas has come way before any of us on earth, and hopefully will be around way after any of us on earth.

“And I feel very strongly that no one person should hold onto anything around Christmas or monopolise it in the way that Mariah seeks to in perpetuity. That’s just not the right thing to do. Christmas is for everyone. It’s meant to be shared; it’s not meant to be owned.

“And it’s not just about the music business. She’s trying to trademark this in every imaginable way — clothing, liquor products, masks, dog collars — it’s all over the map. 

“If you knit a ‘queen of Christmas’ sweater, you should be able to sell it on Etsy to somebody else so they can buy it for their grandma. It’s crazy — it would have that breadth of registration.”

Back in December of last year, Carey said during an interview with BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show that she didn’t consider herself to be the ‘Queen of Christmas’.

“I'm someone that loves Christmas, that happened to be blessed to write All I Want For Christmas Is You. And a lot of other Christmas songs,” she said.

“And let's face it, you know, everybody's faith is what it is. But to me, Mary is the Queen of Christmas.”

Carey is yet to comment on the trademark opposition.