Jay-Z sues Australian author for Trademark and Copyright Infringement over Hip-Hop Children’s Book ‘A B To Jay-Z’

Jay-Z has filed a lawsuit against Australia’s Jessica Chiha, author of 2017 children’s book A B to Jay-Z (illustrated by Alex Lehours) published by her Kickstarter-funded company The Little Homie in 2017.

According to The New York Times, the hip-hop artist’s complaint states that the “use of his name, likeness, and references to ‘99 problems’ in the book and other Little Homie products is ‘a deliberate and knowing attempt to trade off the reputation and goodwill’ of the rapper, and uses his intellectual property ‘for their own commercial gain.’” The Little Homie also sells two versions of its 99 problems t-shirt.

On the book’s U.S. Amazon listing, which lists the hardcover edition as in stock but the Kindle edition as unavailable, the copy reads in part: “I Got 99 Problems but my children learning their ABC's ain't one! This hip-hop inspired book is designed to pump up your child’s alphabet game. Let Jay-Z, Biggie Smalls, Eminem, Pharrell, Snoop Dog and more, teach your little homie their ABCs. Relive some of the greatest Rap, Hip Hop, and R&B musicians of our time, while teaching your children where it's at, for real.

Help your kids stay on top of their ABC game before they even start school. While exploring this book, they’ll go on a learning adventure, getting an early start on recognizing each letter of the alphabet. Each page features a letter, a hip-hop artist whose name begins with that letter, and a sentence that adorably incorporates one of their song lyrics. This book is a good time for both the biggies and the smalls!”

The listing concludes with, “Any reference contained in this book to musical artists or their works does not constitute or imply the endorsement, recommendation or approval of those artists.”

The book touts its status as a “#1 international bestseller” in the front pages. The New York Times also reported that China defended the title, saying in a statement, “We are unbelievably disappointed to find ourselves caught in a legal battle with someone whose music we love and adore.”

On The Little Homie’s website, a drawing of Jay-Z’s face appears next to the words “Free Delivery See Shipping Page,” alongside drawings of Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dog.

Source Link