Golden Globes owners sue Golden Globe Foundation as HFPA fraud suit continues

Mixed · 2Golden Globes LLC, the Penske Media-controlled owner of the awards show, filed a federal lawsuit in California on 30 September against the Golden Globe Foundation (GGF), alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition. 1 2 Mixed · 2The suit seeks an injunction barring the nonprofit from using the Golden Globe name, plus unspecified damages; Deadline describes it as a four-claim complaint filed by Sidley Austin attorneys and says the owners want a jury. 1 2 Mixed · 2The complaint says the GGF was created to let the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) continue charitable work after the show was sold, but that its use of the name has grown to include events, auctions, grants, publications and merchandise without authorisation. 1 2

Mixed · 2It says a cease and desist was sent in 2025 and that licence negotiations broke down after Raffi Boghosian became president of the GGF board; Eldridge says Boghosian directed the firing of former CEO Gregory Goeckner and the lawyer handling the talks. Deadline dates the end of talks to July 2026. 1 2 Mixed · 2The owners also allege the GGF is coordinating with the HFPA: they say the two are settling the HFPA's claims against the GGF, with charitable funds going to the HFPA, and that naming the GGF as a defendant was a pretext to enable this. Deadline notes the filing makes these assertions "on information and belief". 1 2 Mixed · 2The suit follows the HFPA's own lawsuit against Penske Media, filed about two months earlier, which accuses Penske Media and Eldridge of fraudulently acquiring the show as part of a plan to monopolise the awards market; the HFPA also accuses Penske of using its control of the Hollywood trade press to instigate a boycott that left the group vulnerable to takeover. 1 2

Centre · 1GGF spokesperson Nate Miller called the suit "a transparent attempt to pressure the Foundation" and said the group will answer it in court. Miller said the GGF was created as part of the same deal that sold the show, that the Globes' president attended its first grants dinner, where it gave $5 million to 96 organisations, and that the company had previously promoted the Foundation's name. 2 Mixed · 2The Hollywood Reporter said the HFPA, Eldridge and Penske Media did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Both outlets disclose ties to Penske Media: The Hollywood Reporter says it shares ownership with Dick Clark Productions, and Deadline says Penske Media is the parent of its owner. 1 2 Centre · 1The 2027 Golden Globes submission deadline is 30 October, and the ceremony, hosted by Nikki Glaser, airs on CBS and Paramount+ on 10 January 2027. 2