JAY-Z is asking the court to toss several claims filed against him personally.
Iconix Brand Group fired first in April of last year by filing a lawsuit that accused Roc Nation of undermining a $204 million licensing deal by releasing a line of New Era caps in partnership with Major League Baseball without consulting the brand manager. Jay-Z’s company in October countersued for breach of implied license, arguing that the company’s 2007 agreement covers Rocawear but not Roc Nation. Roc Nation was only brought into the mix when the parties reached a licensing deal in 2013.
Now, the Roc defendants are asserting more counterclaims. The company claims Iconix is attempting to “rewrite carefully negotiated agreements” and usurp its rights. RNLLC on Monday asked the court for a declaration that limits Iconix’s rights in the Roc Nation mark and is seeking cancellation of its subsidiary’s trademark registration for Roc Nation.
On Monday (March 5), Hov asked the court to dismiss several claims against him as an individual, arguing that the case is merely a trademark dispute between companies.
“In addition to seeking trademark liability against Carter for the alleged infringement of the ROC Defendants, Plaintiffs tack on four claims alleging unjust enrichment, violations of New York General Business Law, and tortious interference with contract and prospective relations,” writes attorney Alex Spiro in the motion, which can be found here. “For all his celebrity wattage, Carter does not belong in this case. While that is better demonstrated at summary judgment, the four catchall claims should be dismissed now because they are either duplicative of the trademark claims or fall well short of alleging the pleading elements necessary to be sustained at this stage.”
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