The Name of Raimonds Pauls Registered as a Trademark Without His Knowledge 0 14

At the end of last year, the Maestro publicly and unequivocally expressed his position — he does not agree with the use of his name for a private concert. Most likely, at that moment he could not have imagined that his right to dispose of his own name had already been significantly "cut down".

Publicly, Pauls has never transferred the rights to use his name and surname on such a broad scale in the concert industry. On December 28, 2025, the organizers publicly commented only on copyright issues regarding the works, stating: "As for the use of the works of Maestro Raimonds Pauls — the organization of the celebration is carried out in accordance with current legal regulations, with respect for copyright protection principles".

However, regarding the use of the Maestro's personal name, the organizers maintain a deathly silence — perhaps because everything is arranged much more subtly than it initially seemed.

When it becomes more or less clear how many organizing companies are actually at the helm, the next turn of events will follow.

Legally "Sophisticated Striptease"

In the Trademark Register maintained by the Patent Office, it is clearly stated that the company AUSS Media, owned by Janis Kirsis, registered the trademark "THE CELEBRATION OF THE SONGS OF RAIMONDS PAULS for My Homeland" on March 20, 2025.

It should be noted that the Patent Office conducts a preliminary examination of the application (checking for compliance with formal requirements) and an expert examination. The Trademark Law specifies cases in which the office may refuse registration. All grounds for refusal are described in Articles 6 and 8 of the Trademark Law. In the specific situation regarding the use of Raimonds Pauls' name, the law does not literally prohibit registration, and most likely, the Patent Office had no legal grounds to refuse AUSS Media registration.

Legally, everything is done intricately. It is hard to believe that in the field of copyright, the Maestro is gradually and silently being "stripped". The entries in the public register speak quite clearly.

Confusing Situation

Ticket sales are actively ongoing for the large concert "The Celebration of the Songs of Raimonds Pauls 'For My Homeland'" scheduled for July 11, 2026, at the Great Stage of Mezaparks, against which the Maestro Raimonds Pauls himself categorically opposes.

The situation raises questions. How is this possible? Raimonds Pauls expressed dissatisfaction with the concert organizers without naming them.

After the publications by "Neatkarīgā", the concert organizers finally realized the legal status they are in.

After the public embarrassment, "For My Homeland" (Manai Dzimtenei) stopped calling itself a foundation and corrected its legal status on the website in accordance with the entry in the Register of Enterprises — "society". But these are just details, as, in essence, the Maestro's name has already been "privatized".

Of course, only the Maestro himself knows how to act — to protest, sue, complain, try to ban the event, or ignore the situation.

Not knowing all the circumstances of the case, but assessing the available information, even at the end of last year, jurist Lauris Klagishs expressed his opinion by publishing an article titled "Where Does Reverence End and Rights Violation Begin?" on his law firm's Facebook page, in which he presented a legal analysis of the situation.

Raimonds Pauls stated: "I did not agree for them to organize this! They are doing everything on their own!"

Although the organizers claim they want to "honor the Maestro's creativity" and that all permissions have been obtained, from a legal point of view, the situation indicates serious problems in the culture of event organization in Latvia, as noted in Lauris Klagishs' publication on Facebook.

Use of Name for Profit

"One of the grossest violations in this case is the use of the Maestro's name and surname in the event's title and advertising without his consent. The Advertising Law of the Republic of Latvia strictly prohibits the use of another person's name, surname, or other identifying designation in advertising without their consent. This prohibition is imperative. The fact that a person is publicly known does not give other merchants the right to use their name for selling tickets and making profits. The name of Raimonds Pauls is a "brand" with enormous added value, and only he has the right to decide where and how it is used," emphasizes Klagishs.

Title of the Concert "The Celebration of the Songs of Raimonds Pauls"

"The average consumer gets the impression that the event is organized, supported, or at least participated in by the composer himself. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that ticket prices for the concert reach 150 euros, but there is no information in the public domain that at least part of this money is intended for the Maestro as a reward. Selling expensive tickets using the authority of a personality against their will and without any material benefit for the author is not only unethical but also considered misleading commercial practice, which is prohibited by the Consumer Rights Protection Law," says the jurist.

Permissions Allegedly "Obtained"

"The organizers publicly claim that 'arrangements and permissions are in place'. Here, two different aspects are often confused: the license for public performance and the personal non-property rights of the author. According to the Copyright Law, the author has inalienable personal rights to decide whether the work will be published, to prohibit its adaptation and any distortion (arrangements without consent), as well as to oppose the use of the work that may harm the honor or dignity of the author," explains Lauris Klagishs.

This Alleged "Dedication"

Using analogies with similar situations, the lawyer writes: "The organizers' argument that the event is a 'dedication' does not hold water and creates a dangerous precedent. Imagine: some company opens a factory without consent, starts producing electric cars, sticks the 'Tesla' logo on them, and sells them at market price. When Elon Musk or 'Tesla's' lawyers sue for trademark theft and misleading consumers, the entrepreneur indignantly states: 'You all misunderstood! We are not going to pay Musk or ask for permission — this factory is dedicated to his engineering genius! We are promoting the idea of electric cars!' This is like writing and publishing a new book 'Harry Potter and the Secrets of Raimonds', selling it in stores, and telling J.K. Rowling: 'You are entitled to nothing, as we are just honoring your magical world!'

This is an identical situation, as if some businessman organized a basketball camp named after Kristaps Porzingis with a fee of 500 euros for participation, but without Kristaps' knowledge. And when the athlete would object, the organizer would respond: 'But we are just praising your contribution to Latvian basketball!' In a rule-of-law state, such an argument will not save from liability. Using someone else's name and created product (in this case — music and the name 'Raimonds Pauls') for profit without the owner's consent is not a manifestation of respect but a cynical parasitism on someone else's achievements.

If the concert is planned to feature "specially created arrangements of the Maestro's works", then direct consent from the author is necessary. Standard licenses do not grant the right to freely adapt works or include them in a context unacceptable to the author. The Maestro's concerns about the quality of performance and financial transparency are sufficient grounds to believe that such an event may harm his reputation."

The Goal of "Honoring" Does Not Exempt from the Obligation to Comply with the Law

Given the seriousness of the situation and the possible damage to reputation, the lawyer advises the Maestro to consider filing a complaint:

• with the Consumer Rights Protection Center (CRPC) regarding unfair and misleading commercial practices;
• in court with a claim to protect his rights to name and honor, as well as a demand to cancel the event or change its name;
• with the State Police to assess whether the actions of the organizers indicate signs of a crime, as they are collecting significant amounts of money using the author's name without his knowledge.

"This case is a vivid reminder to all event organizers: intellectual property and personal rights are not a formality. A 'dedication concert' organized without the author's consent and with his name in the title is a direct path to judicial and administrative sanctions," summarizes the expert.

Lauris Klagishs adds that his opinion and legal analysis of the situation are based solely on publicly available information and statements from the parties made in the media. The author has no data on possible confidential agreements, contracts, or correspondence that could change the legal assessment of the situation. The article reflects the general application of legal norms to this situation, assuming that the stated facts correspond to reality.

The article has generated significant interest among Facebook users and received over 1000 reactions.

If Raimonds Pauls Wants to Complain, He Needs to Hurry

In an interview with nra.lv, Lauris Klagishs emphasized that Raimonds Pauls could contact the Consumer Rights Protection Center — and do so as soon as possible.

He can also file a lawsuit and, without waiting for a verdict, demand a preliminary injunction — a ban on using his name and surname in the context of the event. The court may grant such a request, and the CRPC may also prohibit the event and possibly impose a monetary fine.

"Taking action after the event is unlikely to make much sense," says the lawyer.

Mysterious Society with "Holey Pockets"

"Biļešu paradīze" is already selling tickets, and the organizing society "Latvia Festivals Association" is receiving the money. Once the money is spent, it is unlikely that anything can be recovered. Societies emerge and disappear, and their members are not liable for the obligations of the organization. A society that has neither assets nor financial reserves can organize such an event and then disappear," says Lauris Klagishs.

In a previous publication, "Neatkarīgā" already reported that the society "Latvia Festivals Association" has not submitted annual reports to the State Revenue Service since 2022, which in itself is a violation of Latvian regulations and entails liability. Since May 2025, the organization has been headed by a 20-year-old young man acting unilaterally.

When asked by nra.lv whether Raimonds Pauls might be "cheated" financially, not being compensated for copyright, Lauris Klagishs replied: "Yes, such a risk exists. If the organizer is a little-known society that may disappear, there is a risk that he will not receive any money for copyright at all. If there was an agreement between the organizers and the Maestro, it would be logical for part of the amount to have already been paid to him in advance. But, apparently, there is no such agreement.

I have represented other artists in similar cases, and the legal process lasted for years before they began to receive the compensation due to them for the use of their music."