A multimillion lawsuit filed by “Freeway” Ricky Ross against rapper Rick Ross over the name “Rick Ross” was officially dismissed on Monday (November 1st).
In May of 2010, “Freeway” Ricky Ross announced he would file a $10 million trademark infringement lawsuit against rapper Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Def Jam and Universal Music Group, for allegedly illegally profiting off of his name.
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District for Southern California, claimed the rapper, born William Leonard Roberts II, infringed on Freeway Ricky’s intellectual property rights by using the name to market his music.
Freeway Ricky claimed Rick Ross’ image was based largely on his real life image as a former cocaine boss that moved thousands of kilos of crack cocaine in Los Angeles during the mid 1980’s and early 1990’s, before being caught up in the infamous Iran-Contra Scandal.
An appeal is still available but it is unlikely that the plaintiff will opt for it.
Via Allhiphop