Rick Ross
Artists in this Article
California ex-drug kingpin Ricky "Freeway" Ross filed a trademark lawsuit against rapper Rick Ross in a California Federal Court on Friday June 18. According to the Miami New Times blog, Ross is suing the rapper for stealing his name, image and likeness to create a successful rap career.
Hip-hop website Allhiphop.com got a hold of the court papers earlier this week, revealing that Ross and his lawyer Melvin Sharpe Jr. are also suing Maybach Music -- rapper Rick Ross' label -- Universal Music Group Recordings, Slip-N-Slide Records -- the independent label the rapper first signed to before signing to a major -- and Jay-Z, who was President of Def Jam Records when rapper Rick Ross signed to the label in 2006.
Jay-Z is named in the suit because, according to Ross, he is partially responsible for the trademark infringement since he allowed rapper Rick Ross to sing under that artistic name. Miami New Times reports that Jay-Z might have to testify in court, since Judge Percy Anderson has issued a summons that may require him to do so.
Allhiphop.com also reports that lawyers for Ross are seeking a temporary restraining order for preliminary and permanent injunction relief, to officially block the release of rapper Rick Ross' upcoming album, "Teflon Don." The project is scheduled to be released on July 20, 2010.
Comments