GOLDOC hits back at Meter Maids threat

GOLD Coast Meter Maids are threatening legal action if their brand is used at the Commonwealth Games.

A Bulletin report this month revealed a production team had consulted a “rival” former meter maid about a planned “tribute” to the bikini-clad ambassadors as part of the opening or closing ceremonies.

However, in a letter to GOLDOC chairman Peter Beattie and the office of Commonwealth Games Minister Kate Jones yesterday, Gold Coast Meter Maids owner Roberta Aitchison said “her investigations” suggested the Meter Maid brand would be used during the Games. The government responded by rejecting the suggestion.

Ms Aitchison asked that the planned Meter Maid Games component be stopped “without a mutually satisfactory commercial agreement having been concluded between us”.

She gave Games organisers an ultimatum to respond within seven days or face legal action.

Her legal options included “seeking an injunction to prevent such use in any ceremony or event, as well for declaratory relief for the loss I will suffer in failing to realise license fees, appearance fees, royalties and lost merchandising”.

Government sources said it was incorrect to assume any trademark of the Meter Maids would be used in either ceremony.

The Government and GOLDOC are furious about the latest stunt, describing the Meter Maids as troublemakers.

GOLDOC CEO Mark Peters told the Bulletin: “GOLDOC and our ceremonies production team do not, as a rule, reveal the content of the GC2018 opening and closing ceremonies.

“However, to cease the continual debate regarding the Gold Coast Meter Maids and in response to Ms Aitchison’s letter we can confirm that the Gold Coast Meter Maids will not, in any form, be included in the GC2018 opening or closing ceremony.”

WE CAN CONFIRM THE GOLD COAST METER MAIDS WILL NOT, IN ANY FORM, BE INCLUDED IN THE OPENING OR CLOSING CEREMONY.