Father of Selena Sues Cruise Company for Trademark Infringement

The father of deceased Mexican-American singer Selena is suing a cruise company for trademark infringement and right of publicity violations over its Selena tribute cruises.

Abraham Quintanilla Jr., the father of Selena Quintanilla-Perez, argued in a July 10 complaint that Catalina Classic Cruises Inc. illegally used Selena’s design plus word trademark to promote its “Cumbia Cruise” events.

The ferry and charter boat company, which advertises private charters around California’s Long Beach Harbor and Catalina Island, allegedly hosted two events that used the late singer’s likeness in flyers and promotional materials, according to the lawsuit filed in the US District Court for the Central District of California.

Selena, a Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter whose Tejano music earned her international fame, died in 1995 at age 23 after the president of her fan club fatally shot her.

Quintanilla is now the registered property rights holder to his daughter’s name, voice, signature, photograph, and likeness, as well as the successor-in-interest to her right of publicity, according to the complaint. He delivered a cease-and-desist letter to the California business in June, notifying it of its unauthorized use of the trademark and infringement of his rights to publicity.

In the lawsuit, Quintanilla requested that Catalina Classic Cruises be permanently restrained and enjoined from using the “Selena” trademark or any imitation with respect to entertainment and the sale of merchandise.

Quintanilla is represented by Singh, Singh & Trauben LLP. Catalina Classic Cruises did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The case is Quintanilla v. Catalina Classic Cruises, Inc., C.D. Cal., No. 2:23-cv-05515, 7/10/23