Indie Band Faces Order From Vice Media To Change Its Name

WHITTIER (CBSLA.com) — You might not have heard of ViceVersa, a three-piece indie band out of Whittier.

The struggling 20-somethings worked hard to get a provisional trademark, only to get served with a cease-and-desist order from the youth-oriented news organization Vice Media, which has an office in Venice.

The band said Vice Media is claiming its name infringes on a registered trademark and that it would confuse customers by making them think the band is sponsored by Vice Media.

ViceVersa is outraged.

"We're not gonna back down just because you feel that your consumer base isn't intelligent enough to tell the difference between the words Vice and ViceVersa," band member Zeke Zeledon said.

A statement from Vice Media reads: "Earlier this year, ViceVersa's lawyer filed for a federal trademark of their name, which overlaps with the scope of our already existing federal trademark. This is a standard, cut-and-dry trademark matter, and we are not involved in litigation with this band."

The band has until the April 18 to figure out if it's going to continue this fight. Their attorney says it's going to be an expensive battle, likely costing in the thousands, so right now they're trying to raise funds.