LOS ANGELES, CA – A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order that prohibits Hustler magnate Larry Flynt’s nephews from using the family surname on their adult entertainment products without a prominent disclaimer.U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz on Wednesday told brothers Dustin and Jimmy Flynt II that the name “Flynt” may not be associated with DVDs or websites produced or owned by them unless consumers are informed the products are in no way associated with their uncle’s porn empire.
After the Flynt brothers were fired by their uncle about a year ago, they founded Flynt Media Corp. with the $100,000 severance pay he gave them, according to documents filed with the court. When Dustin and Jimmy Flynt announced their plans to release seven XXX-rated DVDs this year, Larry Flynt sued, claiming his nephews’ “inferior products” would tarnish his good name in the industry.
The lawsuit is set to go to trial July 28th, although both sides have indicated an interest in settling before then.
The judge, on the other hand, isn’t sure a pre-trial meeting between the opposing factions is a good idea. He mentioned a concern that the “bad blood” between the family members could “spill over” onto the professional relationship between their attorneys.
“When you have an uncle and two nephews at war with each other, sometimes it’s better to keep them apart,” Matz said during Wednesday’s hearing.
