Jeweler, singer, actor Santo Gold to become known as 'Santo Gild', Judge rules against Santo Gold and for singer Santogold in trademark dispute

Santi White, a.k.a. Santogold

By C.F. Twob

Ponderings from Pluto publisher

Infamous infomercial star and aspiring filmmaker Santo "Santo Gold" Rigatuso filed a lawsuit against female musician Santogold in hopes of legally forcing her to use a name that says he has trademarked.

Unfortunately for Rigatuso, it was he who was forced to get a new name.

A judge disagreed and has told Rigatuso not only can Santi White keep using the name Santogold, but Rigatuso must change his name to Santo Gild.

Gild, as defined by the dictionary, means "To cover with or as if with a thin layer of gold" or "To give an often deceptively attractive or improved appearance to."

Judge M. Jackson Ellington of Baltimore's 79th District Court ruled that such a name is "fitting" for Rigatuso. "Mr. Rigatuso has served time in prison for fraud charges related to his infamous Santo Gold business, so I felt that a man who has made part of a career selling cheap jewelry should be known professionally by a name that accurately reflects that," Judge Jackson wrote in his ruling.

Rigatuso, through his attorney, voiced his disappointment with the judge, vowed to appeal and even insisted on singing for reporters a stanza of his song "I'm the real Santo Gold."

The Baltimore native, who also said to go by Bob Harris, said that he is busy working on getting his long-awaited cult classic Blood Circus into theaters. Rigatuso has told Ponderings from Pluto that his performance in Blood Circus would easily beat out the late Heath Ledger's performance in The Dark Knight for Best Supporting Actor honors.

As per the judge's instructions, from now on at PFP Rigatuso will be known as Santo Gild.