Biggie Smalls estate sues over World Trade Centre snowboard image
A company representing the estate of late rapper the Notorious B.I.G, is suing a snowboard company for trademark infringement and unauthorised use of image rights after it allegedly used his likeness without permission.
Notorious B.I.G., a Delaware-based company, filed the suit in the US District Court for the Central District of California on Friday, March 15.
According to the complaint, the rapper’s estate transferred all of his IP rights to B.I.G. following his death in 1997.
B.I.G. alleged that Swiss company Yes Snowboards sold products bearing images of the musician, also known as Biggie Smalls, without its permission.
The products allegedly included one containing a photo of Biggie Smalls standing in front of the New York skyline entitled “Biggie, World Trade Center, 1996”.
The snowboard company made no contact at any point to request authorisation to use the rapper’s image, the complaint said.
B.I.G. claimed that Yes “willfully created the false impression” that its products were associated with, or had endorsement from, the rapper’s estate.
At the time of publication, no products bearing Biggie Smalls’ image are available on Yes Snowboards’ website.
B.I.G. is seeking an order preventing any further infringing activity, as well as damages and costs.
It is the second lawsuit in recent weeks involving Biggie Smalls. Earlier this month, WIPR reported that Australian fashion brand Coogi was suing Nike over the jerseys of basketball team the Brooklyn Nets, which pay tribute to the rapper.
Coogi claimed that the late rapper was a fan of and was associated with the Australian company.
WIPR has contacted Yes Snowboards for comment.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.
Today's top stories:
McDonald's appeals 'Big Mac' TM cancellation
EU launches €2bn fund for AI and biotech startups
Little Trees and Balenciaga trademark suit brought to an end
Already registered?
Login to your account
If you don't have a login or your access has expired, you will need to purchase a subscription to gain access to this article, including all our online content.
For more information on individual annual subscriptions for full paid access and corporate subscription options please contact us.
To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk