Madonna Will Stand Trial Next Month to Defend ‘Material Girl’

It’s been a little over a year since apparel manufacturer L.A. Triumph slapped Madonna with a lawsuit, claiming that her “Material Girl” line for Macy’s threatens their own “Material Girl” juniors clothing line that they have been selling since 1997. We thought it sounded crazy, considering the fact that Madonna invented “Material Girl,” the song (well, writers did, but you know what we mean), in 1984.

However, we learned last August that L.A. Triumph actually had a leg to stand on, because while Madonna may have the copyright to the name of the song, she doesn’t have the trademark, since she hadn’t yet sold any products bearing the name (several missed opportunities there if you ask us!)

Madonna, understandably, was hoping they didn’t–she requested that the court throw out the lawsuit, which the judge has denied. From WWD:

On Aug. 31, a year after the suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, Judge S. James Otero rejected an argument from MG Icon — a joint venture between Madonna, her manager, Guy Oseary, and Iconix Brand Group Inc. — that Madonna was the senior user of the Material Girl trademark because she performed the popular song “Material Girl” in 1984.

This means that Madonna is going to trial. It’s scheduled to start in mid-October and if L.A. Triumph wins, not only will Madonna have to fork over some cash, but she’ll also have to change the name of the clothing brand she’s been selling at Macy’s since fall 2010. This begs the question: if Madonna loses, what other Madonna song should she change the name to?

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Man suspected in Hilton stalking to stand trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man who once asked Paris Hilton to marry him and has been arrested twice outside homes owned by the socialite must stand trial for felony stalking, a judge ruled Monday.

James Rainford appeared to be obsessed with Hilton and his alleged actions gave the hotel heiress good reason to be afraid, Superior Court Judge Jessica Silvers said.

"It's very clear from all these incidents that you are obsessed with Paris Hilton," Silvers told Rainford after a 90-minute hearing. "This is more personal, and it is scary."

Rainford, 36, was previously convicted of battery against Hilton's former boyfriend Cy Waits, who was hit in the head outside a courthouse earlier this year.

Rainford did not react after Silvers' ruling and only spoke quietly with his attorney during the hearing.

Rainford's most recent arrest came after a July 4 encounter in which paparazzi alerted authorities he was outside the heiress' beach house.

Defense attorney Craig Renetzky argued during the hearing that Rainford had never directly threatened Hilton, and that she had never left her home during either incident that led to his arrests.

His actions, including hitting Hilton's ex-boyfriend and shoving a security guard in October, were not directed at the socialite herself, the lawyer said.

"The only thing he's apparently ever done to her is to propose to her," Renetzky said.

Hilton politely refused. She did not attend Monday's hearing.

Prosecutor Wendy Segall called four law enforcement officers to testify about their dealings with Rainford after his arrests or their conversations with Hilton.

Sheriff's Detective Rodney Wagner said Hilton was "afraid for her safety as well as her family, her friends around her."

Rainford remained jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail and was told to return to court on Aug. 29 for an arraignment. No trial date has been set.

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Anthony McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/celebritydocketA judge says a man charged with stalking Paris Hilton must stand trial and called his actions toward the socialite scary.

Superior Court Judge Jessica Silvers rejected arguments by suspect James Rainford's attorney that his client posed no direct threat to Hilton.

The 36-year-old Rainford has been arrested twice outside Hilton's homes. One incident came on July 4, when paparazzi alerted authorities he was outside the heiress' beach house.

Rainford previously was convicted of battery against Hilton's former boyfriend Cy Waits, who was hit outside a courthouse earlier this year.

Hilton did not appear in court. Four law enforcement officers testified about their interactions with Rainford after he was found outside the homes.

Rainford remains jailed and will return to court on Aug. 29 for arraignment.

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