Yahoo News Tiger King star Jeff Lowe and PETA in legal battle over Halloween costume
Tiger King's Jeff Lowe is in the midst of a legal battle with PETA over a Joe Exotic Halloween costume.
As pointed out in the Netflix documentary series, the businessman assumed control of the controversial big cat owner's Greater Wynnewood Animal Park back in 2016.
Earlier this month, Lowe reportedly sent a cease and desist to the animal rights group after discovering that it was selling a novelty outfit inspired by Exotic – also known as Joseph Maldonado-Passage – and the fact that Exotic is currently in prison.
Related: Tiger King's Joe Exotic gets new documentary first-look trailer
Available to purchase on the organisation's online store for $159.99, the costume includes a blonde mullet wig, dark moustache, a cuddly toy tiger and an orange jumpsuit that reads "Tiger Killer" – the word "King" having been visibly struck through.
It also features a set of jail cell bars that the wearer can hold up to make it look like they're incarcerated.
According to a letter obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Lowe's lawyer James D. Sullivan claims that PETA's "unauthorized" use of the Tiger King brand has "damaged and adversely impacted [my] client's proprietary interests".
PETA responded via its solicitor, Jeffrey S Kerr, branding the statement "absurd".
Related: Netflix is being sued over Tiger King name
"PETA's 'Joe Exotic Tiger Killer' costume is an obvious parody protected under trademark law and constitutes fair comment and reporting under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution," Kerr argued.
"We suggest Mr. Lowe focus instead on his serious legal problems in Nevada, Oklahoma and elsewhere, including the numerous recent federal Animal Welfare Act violations perpetrated against endangered big cats at his greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park."
This isn't the first time Lowe and PETA have butted heads. Back in early 2018, the former filed a request with the US Department of Agriculture to terminate or deny the renewal of Lowe's Animal Welfare Act license.
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is available to stream on Netflix now.
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Looking for more TV recommendations and discussion? Head over to our Facebook Group to see new picks every day, and chat with other readers about what they're watching right now.
You Might Also Like
