The popular rap duo, which 2 Chainz was part of, allegedly used the name and logo without permission…
September 4, 2012 – 6:20 PM
Another day, another lawsuit, and another record label getting blamed for profiting off something that was trademarked. On August 30th, Disturbing Tha Peace and Island Def Jam Music Group have been notified with a civil lawsuit over the usage of name and logo for Playaz Circle, a hip-hop duo, which included 2 Chainz (then known as Tity Boi) and Dolla Boy.
Torrey Cook, who’s the alleged owner of the Playaz Circle trademark, has filed the lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern Division of Atlanta. Cook’s claim includes: “Even though Mr. Cook worked with Mr. Epps and Mr. Conveyers, he never authorized their use of the Mark. Instead, Mr. Cook made it very clear to all Business & Legal Affairs, that Mr. Cook’s Mark was still being prominently displayed on the Def Jam Music Group and Disturbing Tha Peace websites,” and “Defendants’ unauthorized use of the Mark has caused, and will continue to cause, irreplaceable injury to Plaintiff and to the goodwill with the Mark and Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.”
Cook’s claiming that as a consultant to up-and-coming musicians, he has used the Playaz Circle name and logo commercially since 1995. While Cook confirms that he’s worked with both 2 Chainz and Dolla Boy, when the group was billed as Playaz Circle, but he assures that he never gave the rightful permission for the name and logo to be used commercially.
So what’s the problem? Because it clear states: “In or around 2004, Mr. Cook worked with Mr. Epps and Mr. Conyers. At that time, Mr. Cook allowed them to be part of one of his compilations, which featured artists that Mr. Cook believed were ‘up and coming.’”
According to Allhiphop.com, which exclusively presented the story, the lawsuit claims that counsel for Torrey Cook attempted to reach representatives at Disturbing Tha Peace and Def Jam, without much luck. So it seems, Cook’s appeal to get a check from both labels have been ignored for the most part.
Overall, Disturbing Tha Peace and Island Def Jam are accused of profiting off the name and logo for Playaz Circle, and are sued for trademark infringement, and trademark dilution, years after the group reached commercial success, and quite recently after 2 Chainz became a nationally recognized fixture. More money, more problems, just like Biggie said. —XXL Staff (@XXL)
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