A lawsuit filed by “Freeway” Ricky Ross against rapper Rick Ross over the proper “Rick Ross” name has been dismissed.
Allhiphop.com got a hold of the documents, that stated the lawsuit was filed in the United States District for Southern California, claimed the rapper, born William Leonard Roberts II, infringed on Freeway Ricky’s intellectual property rights by using the name to market his music.
However, the court came to a decision to dismiss the case, claiming that “Freeway” Ricky Ross could not properly trademark his name due to the wide use of it in magazines, television, and media.
“In support of his trademark claims,Plaintiff alleges that his name was well known in the drug trade and by law enforcement segments of the urban crime, rap and black comity because he did business as Rick Ross, until he was arrested, prosecuted and incarcerated in federal prison. Because this illegal activity cannot be used to establish secondary meaning, such allegations do not provide support for Plaintiff having a valid trademark for his name.”
Freeway Ricky Ross can appeal within 30 days but will most likely not. Do you think the court made the right decision?
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