A turf war is brewing in the Times Square corral between two popular tourist attractions.
The Naked Cowboy, Robert Burck, has deemed his female counterpart, the Naked Cowgirl, guilty of trademark infringement. Former stripper Sandy Kane dons a red, white and blue swimsuit and matching hat while she plays guitar for tourists. Yet apparently, there's only room for one nude Western in this rodeo, unless Kane forks over the cash, or so claims the Cowboy.
It's not exactly the showdown of the century. But Burck, who plays the guitar-strumming, scantily clad buckaroo, takes the issue seriously. He sent Kane a cease-and-desist letter Tuesday, calling her use of the Naked Cowgirl "identical to the Naked Cowboy" and "clearly in violation."
If Kane were to continue making money from tourist photos, she must sign a "Naked Cowboy Franchise Agreement." Most of Burck's licensed franchisees are allegedly required to go through a screening process and pay $5,000 a year.
The Naked Cowboy last made headlines for attempting to unseat Mayor Michael Bloomberg in the 2009 mayoral race. After withdrawing his candidacy, the 38-year-old Burck set off to lasso in his bikini-clad rival for her supposed copy cat behavior.
Kane, who is in her 50s, says she doesn't owe Burck a thing.
