Mariah Carey Faces 'Monopoly' Controversy Over Trademarking 'Christmas Queen' Title

Carol Singers "Christmas Should Not Be Owned by One Person" Backlash

American singer Mariah Carey (53) announced her intention to register the trademark for the title "Queen of Christmas," prompting criticism from famous carol singers who called it a monopoly.
Photo by Carey YouTube capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] American pop star Mariah Carey (53) is pushing to register the trademark for the title "Queen of Christmas," sparking backlash from famous carol singers who say it amounts to "monopolizing Christmas."

On the 17th (local time), according to the Washington Post (WP) and others, Carey recently filed a trademark application for the title "Queen of Christmas" with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In her application, Carey claimed that the music magazine Billboard recognized her last year as the "undisputed Queen of Christmas."

The title "Queen of Christmas" is a nickname Carey earned after releasing the carol "All I Want For Christmas Is You" in 1994. Although the song was released over 20 years ago, it continues to receive steady love every Christmas season, consistently ranking high on the Billboard singles chart.

However, criticism has arisen in the American music industry that the title "Queen of Christmas" is being monopolized. Veteran singer Darlene Love (81), who released "A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector" in 1963, posted on Facebook, saying, "Letterman declared me the Queen of Christmas 29 years ago," and questioned, "Does that mean if Carey registers the trademark for Queen of Christmas, I can no longer use that title?" She performed carols every Christmas on the popular program "The David Letterman Show" from the mid-1980s until 2014.

Elizabeth Chan (42), who has released a total of seven Christmas albums including one titled Queen of Christmas, also criticized in a statement, "Christmas is a day for everyone," adding, "Everyone should share that day, and no one should own it." Furthermore, she said, "Carey is likely to claim the Queen of Christmas trademark on all imaginable products such as clothing, alcoholic beverages, masks, and dog collars," and stated, "Carey should not monopolize Christmas."