Hear "Ringo Starr," and the first words you may associate with him are "the Beatles," "drummer," maybe "Octopus's Garden"—but probably not "penis rings." The 80-year-old star wanted to keep it that way, which is why he filed a trademark complaint in 2019 against the "Ring O" brand of sex toys, which lawyers for Starr (real name: Richard Starkey) claimed would tarnish his "name, likeness, and brand." Now, the Metro reports Starr has dropped his complaint, reaching a settlement with creator Pacific Holdings and Momentum Management, which has agreed to eliminate any association between its risque products and Starr's image or name, which he has already trademarked.
Starr's attorneys had argued that the "Ring O" name was "identical in appearance, sound, connotation, and pronunciation" to Starr's, and that "consumers will likely believe that ... [Starr's] newest venture is sex toys—and this is an association that [Starr] does not want." In the recently reached settlement between Starr's team and PHMM, the company agreed it would limit the "Ring O" moniker to its adult sex toys and desensitizing sprays, and that it will add more space between the "Ring" and the "O." The company also promised it would avoid making any reference to Starr or insinuate he has anything to do with their products. The BBC notes that "Ringo" is also a trademarked name in the UK for various other items, including biscuits, a mop wringer, and a contraceptive vaginal ring. (More Ringo Starr stories.)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
