Rapper T.I. just got out of prison and already he’s back in court to answer charges.
Clifford “Tip” Harris is probably going to have to provide an explanation in a court of law regarding accusations that he violated copyright laws when he named his clothing line Akoo.
That’s because Akoo International, which calls itself the world’s largest social music television network, had the name long before T.I., therefore the company filed a complaint against the multiplatinum rapper in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Illinois.
Akoo delivers video programming to nearly 90 million monthly subscribers via the Internet, shopping malls and universities in more than 30 states.
“Akoo has been recognized as a leading social TV platform for connecting brand advertisers with millions of our engaged viewers,” said Akoo CEO Niko Drakoulis. “Our primary obligation and goal is to prevent confusion among our consumers, which is among the most basic objectives of trademark law. At the same time, Akoo has invested nearly a decade of effort and substantial capital to deploy its network and will do everything in its power to protect its brand.”
T.I.’s use of the Akoo name has unleashed widespread confusion and disrupted the business deals of prospective clients, Akoo International claims in their lawsuit. This was particularly true, the company says, when T.I.’s clothing line paid for an extremely sexually provocative billboard in the center of Newark, N.J., which was quickly condemned by Mayor Corey Booker and other city officials. –terry shropshire
