It turns out that for three years, Dr. Dre has been in a heated trademark dispute with a gynecologist and actual doctor named Draion M. Burch, who more commonly goes by Dr. Drai. Dr. Drai has become a media personality over the years in his own right, having published books like 20 Things You May Not Know About The Vagina and increasingly hosting seminars and events around the country.
Burch attempted to trademark his nickname, Dr. Drai, back in 2015. However, Dr. Dre tried to block the trademark, citing that the similarity between the names was confusing and could suggest a connection between the hip-hop mogul and the gynecologist. In response, Burch fought Dre’s assertion, more or less responding that it wasn’t confusing because he is a real doctor and Dr. Dre is not.
As the motion stated, “It is not likely that consumers will recognize Applicant’s Dr. Drai’s marks as referring to Dr. Dre because Dr. Dre is not a medical doctor nor is he qualified to provide any type of medical services or sell products specifically in the medical or healthcare industry.”
Dr. Drai also explained that he doesn’t even want to be associated with Dr. Dre, noting that the rapper’s lyrics are misogynistic and homophobic and that those views are “a bad reflection on me as a doctor.” Hilariously, Dr. Drai also noted that he should be able to use the moniker, Dr. Drai, because “That’s my name.”
Bringing this wonderful tale to an end, The US Trademark Court recently dismissed Dr. Dre’s case against the Dr. Drai trademark. Given that Dr. Dre is a rap superstar and Dr. Drai is a gynecologist, the two are on fairly divergent career paths, and the Trademark Court noted that the chances of fans becoming confused between the two are slim to none.
[H/TÂ Billboard]