Golden Globes LLC sues Golden Globe Foundation over the GOLDEN GLOBE mark: complaint allegations

What was filed

The docket lists a complaint filed on September 30, 2026, as Document 1, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The case is Golden Globes, LLC f/k/a Eldridge Globes, LLC v. Golden Globe Foundation, No. 2:26-cv-11375. The docket lists nature of suit 840 Trademark and cause 15:1114 Trademark Infringement, and it does not show a judgment. The plaintiff's notice of interested parties identifies PME TopCo, LLC, Penske Media Corporation, Eldridge Media Holdings, LLC, and Eldridge Industries. The complaint demands a jury trial.

What the complaint alleges

The complaint says Golden Globes, LLC, formerly known as Eldridge Globes, LLC, is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal place of business in Los Angeles, California, and that it is the current owner of the Golden Globes brand and related intellectual property. It alleges that, under an asset purchase agreement dated September 15, 2022, among the plaintiff, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust, and Eldridge Industries, LLC, the plaintiff acquired the Golden Globes intellectual property, including the Golden Globes and Golden Globe Awards name and logo. It alleges that the transaction closed in June 2023. It alleges that the plaintiff owns U.S. Registration Nos. 2,424,703, 2,381,145, and 2,422,897 for the GOLDEN GLOBE mark, for entertainment awards, ceremonies, and related goods and services, and that those registrations are incontestable under 15 U.S.C. § 1065.

It alleges that Golden Globe Foundation is a California non-profit corporation with its principal place of business in West Hollywood, California. It alleges that the foundation was created in May 2023 as a 501(c)(4) entity, in connection with the purchase, to carry on certain charitable and related activities of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its charitable trust. It alleges that, when the foundation was formed, the parties discussed a license for the GOLDEN GLOBE mark and that those discussions did not produce an agreement. It alleges that, without a license, the foundation has used the mark in its corporate name, for grants, dinners, auctions, and other events, in promotional and advertising materials, and on its website and in other communications. On information and belief, the complaint alleges that the use has expanded to hosting events, developing Golden Globe merchandise, and other commercial and quasi-commercial activities.

It alleges that on August 7, 2025, the plaintiff's counsel sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding that the foundation stop using the mark, including in its name, and that on August 22, 2025, the foundation's counsel declined. It alleges that the plaintiff then tried to negotiate a license, and that those talks, which it says appeared to be making progress, ended abruptly in July 2026, when the foundation elected a new president of its board of directors. On information and belief, it alleges that under the new president's leadership the foundation terminated its chief executive officer and the outside counsel who had been negotiating the license, and that the new president also took the title of interim chief executive officer. The complaint also alleges that in July 2026 the Hollywood Foreign Press Association sued the foundation, Penske Media Corporation, which it describes as an indirect owner of the plaintiff, and others, and it alleges on information and belief that the foundation and the association have been coordinating against the plaintiff.

The first count alleges trademark and service-mark infringement under 15 U.S.C. § 1114. The second alleges unfair competition by false designation of origin under § 1125(a). The third alleges statutory unfair competition under California Business and Professions Code § 17200. The fourth alleges California common-law trademark infringement and unfair competition. The prayer seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction, the foundation's profits and the plaintiff's actual damages, trebled, under 15 U.S.C. § 1117(a), and costs, including attorneys' fees. That is a prayer for relief. A court has not granted it.

A complaint is not a ruling

None of this is a finding. A newly filed complaint tells you what Golden Globes, LLC alleges about the GOLDEN GLOBE mark and Golden Globe Foundation. It does not tell you that the foundation infringed or competed unfairly. The court has not decided the case.