Chippendales Says Founder’s ‘Son’ Is Trying to Usurp Trademarks

Male striptease company Chippendales USA LLC told a California federal court that a man has been falsely claiming to be the rightful heir to its trademarks in multiple tribunals.

Jesus “Jesse” Banerjee claims to be original Chippendales founder Somen “Steve” Banerjee’s son and that multiple sales of the business after his death have been fraudulent, Chippendales’ complaint in the US District Court for the Central District of California said. It says the sales were valid, Jesse Banerjee’s purported company is inactive, and that the founder’s family denies his lineage.

Chippendale’s lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment cementing its rights to the ...