Martin Lawrence Ordered to Stop Delivering Prints

Martin Lawrence Limited Editions, a Van Nuys operator of shopping mall art galleries, has been ordered by a federal district judge in Los Angeles to stop delivering silk-screen prints bearing the “Hard Rock Cafe” logo.

The temporary injunction issued Friday was requested by Hard Rock Cafe America, which contends that the serigraph art work violates its trademark rights. Another court hearing is scheduled Friday to determine whether the injunction should be extended.

The original serigraph, titled “Snowy Night Swing,” was created by artist Hiromichi Yamagata. In the print, the Hard Rock Cafe logo is depicted on the side of a hot-air balloon that is in the shape of an upside-down tea pot, Martin Lawrence spokeswoman Khia Eckberg said.

Martin S. Blinder, chief executive officer of Martin Lawrence, said the injunction violates the First Amendment rights of artists and the art-viewing public.