Luciano Pavorotti, José Carreras, and Placido Domingo may like pizza, but they don't like being mocked by a pizza commercial.

The Global Music Network, which is the U.S. licensee for the opera trio known as the 3 Tenors, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday (Oct. 31) against Domino's Pizza, Inc. over their 1999 commercial campaign known as "Meatsa Trio."

The suit reads, in part, "In or about November 1999, Domino's commenced a major national advertising campaign in connection with its new 'Meatsa Pizza' product. A critical component of the advertising campaign was the production, distribution, and airing of the 'Meatsa Trio' television commercial. The commercial depicts three singers in formal attire on a small stage, identified as 'Meatsa Trio.' From left to right, the singers-actors were chosen to resemble Luciano Pavorotti, Placido Domingo, and José Carreras. They sing, in operatic style, a trio about the three meats included in the 'Meatsa Pizza.' The depiction in context, appearance, likeness, sound, and style of the commercial was intended by Domino's to resemble that of the 3 Tenors."

GBN cites the 3 Tenors' worldwide popularity, whose name and image have entered into the popular lexicon and culture since their debut at the 1990 World Cup in Rome, as grounds for the alleged trademark violation. GBN is suing for common law right of publicity, the Lanham Act, California business and protections code, unjust enrichment, and California civil code section 3344, which would hold Domino's liable for damages if the pizza conglomerate were to lose the suit.

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