LL Cool J recently filed a complaint alleging that his trademark over the term “Rock the Bells” is being infringed upon by a hip-hop music festival of the same name (Case 2:18-cv-09902-CAS-AGR). Rock the Bells was the title of one of LL Cool J’s 1985 hits, and is the name of his classic hip-hop channel on Sirius XM.
Although the Rock the Bells hip-hop festival is now defunct, it continues to use the name on its website and social media. LL Cool J is arguing that this limited, passive use is nevertheless likely to cause confusion and may lead consumers to believe that he is associated with the festival. He further alleges that the association will cause damage to his trademarks, business reputation and goodwill, and seeks an injunction, profits, punitive damages and attorney’s fees.
This is the eleventh application the rapper has filed in relation to the trademarked phrase. In the past two years, he has successfully cancelled three trademarks registered to Guerilla Union, Inc., the company which produced the festival until 2013.
Author: Jaclyn Tilak
Authors
Expertise
Insights
-
Intellectual Property
From Touchdowns to Trademarks: How NFL Star Travis Kelce is Growing his Brand
Travis Kelce, three-time Super Bowl champion and Kansas City Chiefs superstar tight-end, has reportedly filed multiple new trademark applications in Ohio according to records from the United States… -
Intellectual Property
A Bump in the Road: Caterpillar Ordered to Pay Wirtgen $12.9 Million in Patent Trial
The federal jury of a U.S. District Court in Delaware reportedly awarded Wirtgen America Inc. (“Wirtgen”) $12.9 million in damages for patent infringement related to road-construction technology.The… -
Intellectual Property
A Billion-Dollar Remix: U.S. Appeal Court Overturns $1 Billion Copyright Verdict
A U.S. appeal court reportedly found in favour of American telecommunications and internet service provider, Cox Communications (“Cox”), overturning a $1 billion jury verdict awarded to several record… -
Intellectual Property
From Foam to Fortune: Crocs Inc. Prevails in Patent Infringement Case
Crocs Inc. has been awarded over $6 million following a decision regarding patent infringement by USA Dawgs and its subsidiary Double Diamond Distribution. Crocs was embroiled in years of litigation… -
Intellectual Property
Dish and iFit Reach the Finish Line Settling Infringement Dispute
Dish Network and iFit have reportedly reached an agreement to settle their legal disputes over the use of Dish Network’s streaming-video technology in iFit’s exercise equipment. The dispute arose… -
Intellectual Property
General Motors Files Patent Application for Foldable Ramp for Pickup Trucks
General Motors (“GM”) has reportedly filed a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a foldable ramp designed for pickup trucks.The foldable ramp is designed to…