Golden Globes Owners Sue Foundation Over Name Amid $150M Legal Battle

The owners of the Golden Globe Awards are suing the nonprofit foundation created as part of the deal that sold the Hollywood awards show, accusing the charity of illegally using the Golden Globe name for fundraising, events, and merchandise.

Golden Globes LLC and Eldridge Globes LLC filed the trademark infringement lawsuit on September 30, 2026, in Los Angeles federal court, arguing that the Golden Globe Foundation continued using the brand after negotiations over a licensing agreement collapsed. The dispute unfolds amid a separate $150 million lawsuit brought by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) against media executive Jay Penske and others over the 2023 acquisition.

In June 2023, the HFPA sold the awards show's commercial assets and intellectual property to interests controlled by Penske and fellow media investor Todd Boehly. The transaction also established the Golden Globe Foundation as an independent nonprofit responsible for continuing the organization's charitable work.

Golden Globes LLC claims it became the exclusive owner of the Golden Globe trademarks through that sale. Although the parties subsequently negotiated an agreement that would have allowed the foundation to use the name, the talks ended without a license being signed.

Despite the failed negotiations, the nonprofit continued using the branding for charitable grants, fundraising dinners, auctions and promotional events, according to the complaint. The owners also allege that it began developing merchandise bearing the Golden Globe name, expanding its use of the trademarks without authorization.

The plaintiffs allege trademark infringement and unfair competition, arguing that the foundation's activities could create confusion over its relationship with the awards show's commercial owners. They are seeking an injunction restricting the disputed use, profits attributable to any infringement, damages that could be increased under applicable law, and attorneys' fees and litigation costs.

Representatives of the Golden Globe Foundation dispute the assertion that its use of the name is improper. Spokesman Nate Miller said the charity was established through the same transaction that transferred ownership of the awards show and pointed to the commercial owners' previous support for its activities.

At its first grants dinner, the nonprofit distributed $5 million to 96 organizations. Miller said the Golden Globes' president welcomed attendees to the event, while Penske Media's Robb Report publicly supported the gathering, examples he cited to challenge the company's current position.

A separate federal lawsuit filed in July challenges the circumstances of the awards show's acquisition. The HFPA sued Penske, Penske Media Corporation and other defendants, seeking at least $150 million in damages and alleging that the transaction was engineered to undervalue the association and transfer control of its assets.

Former HFPA members accuse Penske and Boehly of helping fuel a backlash against the organization before the sale, then using its weakened position to consolidate influence over Hollywood's awards industry, entertainment publications and related advertising markets. Penske Media has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the acquisition received the required approvals.

While the HFPA's case alleges antitrust and other violations arising from the acquisition, the new action concerns the commercial owners' trademark rights and whether the charity can continue using the Golden Globe name without an express license.

Leadership changes at the nonprofit also figure in the trademark complaint. According to the plaintiffs, Raffi Boghosian became interim chief executive after the foundation removed former CEO Gregory Goeckner and outside counsel involved in the licensing discussions. Golden Globes LLC alleges that Boghosian subsequently authorized broader use of the branding without securing an agreement.

The owners further accuse the organization of aligning itself with former HFPA members involved in the separate litigation. Their complaint raises concerns that charitable funds could ultimately support legal disputes against Golden Globes LLC through financial arrangements involving the association. No court has found that nonprofit money was improperly diverted.

In an October 1 email to foundation members, Boghosian described the trademark lawsuit as a "transparent attempt to pressure the Foundation." He emphasized its work supporting schools and press freedom and said the organization would contest the claims in court.

Golden Globes LLC and Eldridge Globes LLC are seeking an order restricting the nonprofit's use of the trademarks and monetary relief, while the separate HFPA lawsuit challenging the 2023 acquisition remains pending in federal court.