zondag 10 april 2011

Rick Ross gets sued over name again

The real "Freeway" Rick Ross is taking Officer Ross aka William Roberts II to court for a second time.

While Ross was incarcerated, Roberts used his name and fake cocaine tales to gain fame. Basically Roberts is rapping about the life that Ross actually lived and served time for.

Ross sued Roberts, Jay-Z, Def Jam Records and Universal Music Group in federal court for trademark violations, unfair competition and misappropriation of his publicity rights.

Ross lost that case, but now has new legal representation in law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. This time Ross' team will sue on a state level.

“We always knew our case was stronger in the state than it was in the feds,” Ross told BET. “California state law really protects people with their names and their likenesses. So we knew that was stronger inside California than it was in the feds, but we wanted to go the big route first then work our way down.”

Ross regrets his previous life as a drug dealer. He feels like Roberts message is wrong for kids.

“We’re both teaching two different messages," Ross said "He’s teaching my old life: sell drugs, disrespect women, all the things that really have our country in shambles. I’m teaching uplifting values, education, literacy. He’s teaching illiteracy,"

Ross presents his case in court on May 2.

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