A legal battle has erupted between Joey Ramone's brother Mitchel Hyman (Mickey Leigh) and Johnny Ramone's widow Linda Cummings-Ramone over the use of The Ramones' trademarks and intellectual property.

The dispute centers on ownership rights and the use of the band's legacy. While none of the original band members were related, they all adopted the surname "Ramone." Following the death of all band members, the intellectual property is now split between these two heirs.

Leigh's lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges that Cummings-Ramone is improperly exploiting the band's legacy by:

• Presenting herself as the band's official spokesperson
• Adopting the name "Linda Ramone" after her husband's death
• Exceeding previously established legal limits on using the Ramone name
• Attempting to control the band's business dealings without authority

The conflict intensified when Netflix announced a biopic based on Mickey Leigh's memoir, "I Slept With Joey Ramone," starring Pete Davidson. Cummings-Ramone filed a separate lawsuit in January, claiming the adaptation would present a biased version of the band's history.

The case highlights the ongoing challenges of managing band legacies and intellectual property rights after the original members' deaths, particularly when multiple parties claim ownership rights.

Photo Credit: The Ramones by Danny Fields, 1977

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