The wife of Village People star Victor Willis has won the latest round of her battle to overturn the trademarking of the band's name.
Karen Willis is pursuing legal action in the U.S. to cancel the Village People trademark for live performance and recorded music, accusing bosses at Can't Stop Productions of "fraud, nonuse and abandonment".
And her suit was given a major boost this week (beg07May12) when officials at the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeals Board ruled Willis had "adequately" established grounds for her case.
It opens the way for a full hearing into Willis' trademark claim.
Speaking after the decision, Willis says, "I am happy with (the) ruling and now look forward to establishing that there's fraud and nonuse in connection with the Village People trademark, the same mark I intend to have cancelled."