Town sued over plan to change name to Rocky Top, cash in on fame of copyrighted song
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A former coal mining town’s effort to revive its fortunes by changing its name to Rocky Top has hit a snag.
A development group has promised to turn Lake City into a tourist mecca if it goes through with the name change. The plan is to cash in on the fame of the bluegrass standard “Rocky Top,” recorded over the years by Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell and others.
But Gatlinburg-based House of Bryant, which owns the rights to the song and multiple Rocky Top trademarks, is suing. A complaint filed Monday in federal court in Knoxville claims the name change would injure the reputation, goodwill and business value of House of Bryant’s Rocky Top trademarks.
Lake City Mayor Tim Sharp could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday.
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