There are three possible backstories here. First option: the lawyers genuinely believe they have a winnable case, or at least a case they can drag out into som

There are three possible backstories here. First option: the lawyers genuinely believe they have a winnable case, or at least a case they can drag out into something approaching a draw in their favour. Second option: they are so used to intimating people into submission that they became complacent and didn't bother examining whether their mark had prior experience. Third option: the artiste insisted that Something Be Done, so it was done. My money's on number three.