Iowa Motorcycle Museum Sued Over Evel Knievel Display

You would think that if there was any place where a tribute to the legendary motorcycle stunt driver and daredevil Evel Knievel was welcome, it would be the National Motorcycle Museum. But as so often is the case, the company in charge of Knievel's legacy has other ideas.

The Kansas Reflector reports that the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa is being sued over its display and sale of Evel Knievel memorabilia. The company that has filed the lawsuit is K&K Promotions of Nevada. They own the rights, likeness, brand, and intellectual property of Evel Knievel. They're suing the museum in Anamosa for trademark infringement and unjust enrichment.

The museum in Anamosa has featured images of Knievel as well as a motorcycle painted to replicate one that Knievel used during his stunts, according to the Reflector. The lawsuit also claims that the museum also has a replica of the stunt rocket used by Evel Knievel during one of his most famous stunts, his failed attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in 1974.

The Reflector reports that K&K alleges it sent the museum a demand to halt sales of any Evel Knievel-related memorabilia but that they failed to comply. K&K claims it has suffered losses of at least $75,000 as well as damage to its brand and reputation. The Reflector points out that the officially sanctioned Evel Knievel museum can be found in Topeka, Kansas.

The National Motorcycle Museum has not filed an official response to the lawsuit. The Reflector reports that the museum has pulled any Evel Knievel-related items from display, as the museum will permanently close in September due to financial issues. The National Motorcycle Museum opened in Anamosa in 1989.

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