Billy Blanks Jrs Cardioke
For most of us lifting a beer between singing songs is the most exercise we want on our karaoke nights out. So imagine “Cardioke” with this mouthful of a description: “an interactive physical and visual jumbo screen cardio-vascular, sing-a-long/karaoke work out … incorporating proper diaphragmatic performance breathing while being able to accommodate all genres of music.”
That’s the concept that Anthony P. Ricco says he came up with and pitched to Billy Blanks, Jr. and Sharon Blanks. If the name Billy Blank rings a bell it’s probably because of the Tae Boe fitness guru you see doing the infomertials, and yep, these are his youngsters. Ricco is now claiming that they fraudently applied for a trademark on the name and failed to pay him 30% of the gross profits to which he is due.
This gets so complicated it wears me out. You can read an earlier complaint that the Blanks filed against Riccio and on which they received a judgment. It’s kinda interesting because of how things work in the high powered world of entertainment.
I’m not sure what the big fuss is because the trademark lapsed and is no longer valid anyway. It was “abandoned” February 28, 2008.
Ricco and the Blanks used to be friends according to news reporst. I’m guessing they no longer invite each other to their Saturday afternoon cookouts now.
