Coachella sues Filmchella over 'chella'

Don’t confuse a hip music festival with a film festival. 

That’s the message behind a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the organizers of the world-renowned music and arts festival Coachella against that of a relatively new film festival Filmchella, per an article on the Hollywood Reporter Web site on Thursday. 

At issue is how social media fans indicate they are at either: “#chella.” 

Coachella organizers are arguing they have legal claim to the shortened version and are suing for trademark infringement, cybersquatting and unfair competition, the magazine reported online. 

The music festival is asking a U.S. district judge in the Central District of California to bar Filmchella from using any trademarks similar to Coachella in connection with the event, including in domain names and social media accounts, the magazine reported. Those marks include Coachella, Chella, Chela and Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. 

Furthermore, the suit alleges that the film festival had been marketing his event as "Coachella for Movies."