Priscilla Presley is opening up about the many cease-and-desist letters that Las Vegas chapels have received about using Elvis’ image. And according to her, she has nothing to do with it.
Speaking with TMZ, the rockstar’s former wife explained that she hadn’t heard about the situation and had “no idea” Elvis’ name was apparently being stripped from weddings in the city.
“That has nothing to do with me,” she explained in a video shared by the publication.
Of course, this past week, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Vegas chapels had begun getting the letters regarding using Elvis’ name and likeness for unauthorized events. The letters were issued by Authentic Brands Group (ABG), which said it is now seeking licensing agreements with the chapels—including Elvis Chapel, Viva Las Vegas/Vegas Weddings, the and Las Vegas Elvis Chapel—and threatened to take legal action within a week if demands were not met.
“As the guardians of the Elvis Presley estate, it is our responsibility to safeguard his legacy,” ABG said in a statement to CNN. “This includes ensuring that all products, services, and advertisements utilizing Elvis’ name, image, or likeness are officially licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises… The estate has strong relationships with official Elvis tribute artists, fan clubs, and festivals, as well as a robust global network of licensed merchandise partners. There is no intention to shut down chapels that offer Elvis packages in Las Vegas.”
Melody Willis-Williams, president of Vegas Weddings and Viva Las Vegas Weddings, explained that the news could be “damaging” to the businesses in Vegas.
“Most of us are small businesses, and we’re up against a superpower with a lot of money,” she said. “It could kill us in lawyer fees to fight this. Elvis weddings are synonymous with Las Vegas. We keep Elvis alive.”