The Oscars files lawsuit against the marketing firm behind $200k 'Oscars gift bag'
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is set to sue the marketing company behind the unofficial ‘Oscars gift bags’ that were widely covered in the media for containing the likes of a “vampire breast lift” and a $250 sex toy among other things.
The so-called luxury gift bags, reportedly worth $200k, are the brainchild of Los Angeles marketing firm Distinctive Assets. The company annually gifts the product to acting and directorial nominees at the awards.
How about a peek inside our “Everyone Wins” Nominee Gift Bag in honor of the OSCARS®? Thanks @thedailybeast! https://t.co/jOkSvBOXrH #oscars
— Distinctive Assets (@DAssets) February 5, 2016
The Guardian reports that the Academy has filed a lawsuit against the firm for the use of slogans such as ‘Everyone Wins at the Oscars! Nominee Gift Bags’, which it alleges can confuse the public into thinking there is an affiliation between the Academy and the bag.
The lawsuit reads: “Deeply concerned about the confusion Distinctive Assets was spreading, the Academy’s legal counsel wrote Distinctive Assets on or about February 17, 2015, to inform it that it ‘is critical that no one be confused into believing that your gift bags are associated with or have any connection with the Academy.’
“The media coverage reveals that Distinctive Assets appears to be taking no steps to stop wrongfully implying a relationship with the Academy.”
Distinctive Assets is still to formulate a response to the lawsuit.