1980s rock guitarist sues Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City ... - kjrh.com

A 1980s musician is suing the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant over a nickname.

 

According to the lawsuit , Mark Durante claims he registered "Durantula" as a trademark after playing guitar with bands including Public Enemy, The Aliens, The Next Big Thing and The Slammin' Watusis.

 

In addition to KD, Durante lists K Durant Enterprises, Nike Inc. and Panini America Inc.

 as defendants.

 

Durante filed the complaint Wednesday in the Northern District Court of Illinois, claiming he adopted the name "Durantula" in the late '80s for his on-stage persona and since 1993 has used the moniker for music, recordings, apparel, guitars and related merchandise.

 

Durante says he also owns the website www.durantula.com and was issued a trademark for the name.

 

Oklahoma City Thunder fans labeled KD the "Durantula" after he became one of basketball's fastest rising stars.  Durant has been the leading NBA scorer for three consecutive seasons.

Durante's complaint says he notified KD that he owned the trademark, but his representatives claim the Thunder star "never authorized any company or media outlet the use of the term" and that he never "used "the term as a nickname and (had) no intention of doing so."

However, Durante claims Nike used the moniker in a shoe campaign and KD signed "Durantula" on basketballs that are for sale on his website.

Durante is demanding KD stop using the nickname and requesting unspecified damages from all defendants.

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