Tramcar Lawsuit Update – Some Defendants Dropped

Tramcar Lawsuit Update – Some Defendants Dropped

Floss Stingel, the voice behind the famous Wildwood Tramcar slogan “Watch the tramcar, please,” has filed an amended lawsuit against multiple entities tied to the Wildwood Boardwalk.

Stingel, who originally recorded the slogan in 1971, alleges her voice has been used commercially for over 45 years without fair compensation.

The amended complaint was filed on October 23, 2024, and names the City of Wildwood, City of North Wildwood, the Wildwood Business Improvement District (WBID), Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District (WSID), Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks, and St. George’s Stores as defendants.

The defendants who have been dropped are the Wildwood Historical Society and the George F. Boyer Museum.

Stingel’s voice has become an integral part of the Wildwood Boardwalk experience, serving as an auditory icon for both locals and tourists who frequent the area.

According to the complaint, Stingel’s recording plays approximately 6,000 times per day during the tourist season, alerting pedestrians to approaching tramcars along the two-mile boardwalk.

This frequent use has cemented the phrase as one of the most recognized slogans in the tri-state area.

The complaint states that since the initial recording, Stingel has not received fair financial compensation, aside from occasional free tram tickets.

The lawsuit argues that the defendants have profited immensely from her voice, which has helped attract millions of tourists and generated substantial revenue for local businesses and attractions, such as Morey’s Piers and the Wildwood Gift Shop.

Stingel’s legal team claims her likeness was misappropriated and used without ongoing consent. The lawsuit includes claims of unjust enrichment and a violation of her right to publicity, alleging that the defendants have leveraged her voice for marketing, merchandise, and promotional purposes without compensation.

The tramcar slogan has been featured in various forms, including t-shirts, toy tramcars, brochures, and postcards, and is even incorporated in the Tramcar Plushy toy sold at the Wildwood Gift Shop.

The lawsuit highlights Stingel’s participation in boardwalk events and memorabilia signings, often without compensation, but to promote the tramcar’s legacy.

As the boardwalk evolved, so too did the commercial use of her voice, a point highlighted by the lawsuit’s emphasis on the phrase’s unauthorized use across various media outlets, including documentaries, books, and even HBO’s Sex and the City.

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In her complaint, Stingel seeks appropriate compensation, contending that her voice’s iconic status and commercial value have not been properly acknowledged by the boardwalk’s business entities.

With this legal battle underway, the fate of the voice that represents the Wildwood Tramcar remains uncertain, yet the dispute underscores the enduring impact of Stingel’s phrase on the Wildwood community and its tourism industry.

To understand the full lawsuit check out the video below.