It stems from MCRs stage show.
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are taking legal action after they allege their brand was infringed upon by the band “My Chemical Romance.”
The issue at the heart of the suit is the stage show My Chemical Romance is putting on as part of their “Long Live: The Black Parade” tour. On October 23 the band held a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, which utilized cheerleaders as part of the act — styled and designed to look exactly like the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
The lawsuit asserts that the costumes and designs of the cheerleaders were so similar to that of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders that an ordinary person could, and did easily confuse their members for those who were on stage with the band. This went a step further when the cheerleaders, armed with fake guns on stage, took part in a simulated firefight, in which several of the cheerleaders were “shot.”
This is not a lawsuit over money, but rather simply protecting their brand. The cheerleaders are seeking a temporary restraining order and an injunction, specifically as it relates to the costumes the cheerleaders are wearing. A statement released by Pro Silver Star, who operate as management for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, said they have no issue with My Chemical Romance and support their freedom of expression.
“Silver Star asks only that those performers not wear the DCC Uniform while doing it,” the filing states. “The universe of alternative costume designs is effectively unlimited.”
The Cowboys Cheerleaders have a point. It’s reasonable to assume from the above video that those are the actual Cowboys cheerleaders, presumably working under an agreement with the band. This is also a case where the group isn’t just cheering, but taking part in theatrical elements that are beyond the scope of the what the cheerleaders would do.
This lawsuit comes shortly after the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders made waves by becoming the first cheerleading group in the NFL to unionize, which was recognized by the Cowboys. Organizing as the “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Association” (DCCA), the union will push for equal pay, rights, and to protect the brand from infringement, as they believe occurred here. The move to unionize was spurred in part by the massive success the cheerleaders had on the Netflix series America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which led to some members of the group receiving massive pay increases, while others did not.
As it pertains to the lawsuit, it appears as though the cheerleaders are making fair demands. They aren’t asking My Chemical Romance to change the artistry of their show, or make any significant changes — just use literally any other cheerleader design on the face of the earth. That way in ensures the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders don’t get misidentified.