Dweezil Zappa To Enlist Fans For Legal Fight To Keep Using His Name

Guitarist Dweezil Zappa has been talking in the past few months about how the Zappa Family Trust run by his siblings aims to trademark the name “ZAPPA” to prevent him for using his own name in the field of music, entertainment and public appearances. Dweezil is gearing up for the fight by announcing a crowd-funding campaign to help raise funds for the legal battle.

A note posted by the guitarist on DweezilZappa.com mentions his will launch a campaign as unique as his birth name via Pledge Music in the coming weeks. He’s asking fans to join and support a group he’s dubbed “Dweezil Zappa And The Others Of Intention” to fight the Zappa Family Trust’s proposed Trademark. Those who fund the Pledge Music campaign will receive new music, art and other goodies.

Here’s the full text of Dweezil’s note:

In the coming weeks I will be launching a unique crowd funding campaign via Pledge Music. The campaign is as unique as my birth name. In fact the campaign is entirely about my name and how you can help me keep the legal rights to use my own name.

I am inviting everyone to please join me to make some noise and raise funds to propel the necessary legal arguments to secure the rights to continue to use my own name.

How about if we all form a group called “Dweezil Zappa And The Others Of Intention.” By joining and supporting this group via the Pledge Music campaign your voice will be heard alongside my own in the fight against the proposed Federal Trademark of the surname ZAPPA set forth by 2 of my younger siblings that seeks to prevent me from using my own name in the field of music, entertainment and public appearances.

I have used my name in the field of music and entertainment since 1982 and it’s absurd that their proposed Trademark now threatens my ability to continue to legally use my own name.

With your help I will be able to prevail against this personal injustice.

My father once said, “People make a lot of fuss about my kids having such supposedly ‘strange names’. But the fact is that no matter what first names I might have given them, it is the last name that is going to get them in trouble.” (The Real Frank Zappa Book)

On my birth certificate, where it said religion my father personally inscribed “musician” and I wish to continue to honor him through music using my full name Dweezil Zappa. By supporting this campaign you can restore the name given to me by my father.

Are you ready and willing to become an “Other Of Intention”?

Stay tuned for the link to sign up to be the first to hear about all of the downloads, treats and features of the campaign. There will be new music, art and other goodies available.

A huge heartfelt thank you for all your support. DZ