Naked Cowboy versus Naked Cowgirl

The Naked Cowboy, a Times Square icon, has filed a cease-and-desist order against a fellow public performer for infringing on his trademark. The Naked Cowgirl, a former stripper, has been performing in the cowboy’s territory lately and isn’t budging. Both performers wear limited clothing, a cowboy hat, and play a guitar for tourists visiting Times Square.

The Naked Cowboy, Robert Burck, is reportedly seeking $150,000 from the Cowgirl and has asked that she sign a franchise agreement which would require her to pay $500 each month to use the name and likeness. When asked how she felt about the situation, she replied, “Why doesn’t he sue the people that make the Naked drink.” There has been no comment yet from the Naked Juice camp.

Burck, who has been performing in Times Square for years, last made headlines when he decided to run for mayor against Michael Bloomberg.

Naked Cowboy in New York City VS blue M&Ms

Perhaps you’ve been at Times Square in New York City and noticed a guy wearing brief style underwear (often white), a cowboy hat, cowboy boots and playing a guitar. I saw him two summers ago. Actually, my daughter and her friend noticed him first. “Say what?!” was their response as they craned their necks when our taxi passed where he strummed. “That’s ‘The Naked Cowboy,'” I told them.

“The Naked Cowboy” is one of Ohio’s own. Robert Burck is from Cincinnati, once the frontier of wilder country eons before the west was won. Burck does look a bit wild and he’s taking on the makers of blue M&Ms. See, Burck has been acting the part of “The Naked Cowboy” for quite some time. His look is a trademark, so much that he has appeared in films and TV shows as “The Naked Cowboy.” A blue M&M in white underwear and a cowboy hat is now playing the guitar on two billboards in Times Square, something Burck is not too pleased about, and he’s suing Mars Inc., the company that makes M&Ms for the infraction.

For Burck, $6 million should make up for the fact that the company co-opted his look for a blue M&M without giving him any compensation. In the meantime, he keeps strumming away in all kinds of weather. Look at picture number two in the photo gallery. It’s snowing.