Teresa Earnhardt, the widow of Dale Earnhardt Sr., last week filed an appeal in federal court "over a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruling that denied Teresa's challenge to the 'Earnhardt Collection' trademark" applied for by Kerry Earnhardt, Dale Earnhardt Sr.'s son, and his wife, Rene, according to Bob Pockrass of ESPN.com. Kerry Earnhardt and his wife "helped design and promote" a collection of homes built by Schumacher Homes, and they plan to "add furniture to the Earnhardt Collection brand." It is "obvious there is friction" between Teresa Earnhardt and Kerry Earnhardt, the son of Dale Sr.'s first wife. Kelley Earnhardt-Miller, a daughter of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and his second wife Brenda Jackson, "testified that no one has confused the Earnhardt Collection of being associated with her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr." Both Kerry and Rene Earnhardt have been "active in promoting the homes and played an integral role in the award-winning home designs, which are offered in 14 states." Kerry said that he "has no relationship with Teresa." He added that he was "fired from Dale Earnhardt Inc." in '11 around the time "he began working with Schumacher Homes" (ESPN.com, 5/6).
