A lot of people are “All Shook Up” because ‘The King’ has apparently’ left the building’ after a licensing clampdown could spell the end of Elvis-themed weddings in Las Vegas, leaving people “Crying In The Chapel.”
Elvis has left the building: Clampdown on themed weddings featuring “The King”
People “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and running off to Las Vegas for quick nuptials. One of the most popular ways of getting married in Sin City was the so-called “Elvis themed weddings” where an impersonator of “The King of rock ‘n’ roll” performed the ceremony.
But now, Elvis-themed weddings may be a thing of the past.
Elvis may have left the building, or chapel, for good, marking the end of Elvis-themed themed weddings as the licensing company that controls the name and image of “The King” is ordering Sin City chapel operators to stop using Elvis in themed ceremonies, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Monday.
In early May, Authentic Brands Group, which controls Elvis Presley’s copyrights, sent cease-and-desist letters to multiple chapels, The Times UK and Las Vegas Journal reported.
The chapels were told to stop using “Presley’s name, likeness, voice image, and other elements of Elvis Presley’s persona in advertisements, merchandise and otherwise” and in themed weddings.
In addition, the cease-and-desist letter to the chapels stated that the phrases “Elvis,” “Elvis Presley,” and “The King of Rock and Roll” are protected trademarks.
The chapels were expected to be compliant by now.
Stage shows are an exception
Impersonating someone for live performances is considered an exception under Nevada’s law.
Due to Nevada’s right of publicity law, the cease-and-desist order should not translate into legal action against Elvis-themed stage shows in Las Vegas, according to Mark Tratos, a local attorney who helped write the statute.
“An Elvis show is a performer essentially entertaining others by recreating that person on stage,” Tratos said.
However, being that copyrights are under federal jurisdiction, it brings into question whether Nevada’s law could come under challenge if the copyright holders chose to do so.
Elvis theme major earner for Vegas weddings
Elvis-themed weddings are world-famous and a major part of the Las Vegas wedding industry, ITV reports.
It’s estimated that Las Vegas’ wedding industry generates $2 billion annually and according to officials, Elvis-themed weddings represent a significant number of the ceremonies performed.
“It might destroy a portion of our wedding industry,” said the clerk for Clark County. “A number of people might lose their livelihood.”
Some chapel owners say it could decimate their business.
“That’s our bread and butter,” the owner of LasVegasElvisWeddingChapel.com and the Little Chapel of Hearts, told MarketWatch.
