Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jay Z Among Hip-Hop Stars Suing Paris Retailer for Clothing Bearing Their Likenesses
Beyoncé and Rihanna are among the hip-hop stars joining forces to sue a Paris clothing retailer that is accused of "brazenly" selling merchandise bearing the stars' likenesses without consent.
The New York Daily News reports Jay Z, Kanye West and Pharrell Williams are also part of the suit filed in Manhattan federal court that names ElevenParis as a defendant.
The filing adds that, to date, the retailer has ignored the victims' warnings and continues to sell such merchandise as shirts, hats, backpacks, mobile phone cases and other items. With an outlet in the heart of New York's SoHo neighborhood, the store offers merchandise bearing the singers' faces, as well as phrases like "Kanye is my Homie," and "Pharrell is my Brotha."
In a statement, ElevenParis claimed that negotiations between the two sides have been under way for nearly a year and are ongoing.
"ElevenParis is determined to find a fair and balanced agreement with them and their advisers," the statement added.
The suit also accuses the retailer and its affiliates of being "habitual, willful intellectual property infringers that, without authorization, usurp the trademarks, copyrights and other rights of A-list celebrities."
The filing also notes each of the star artists already has their own clothing line or collaboration with apparel manufacturers, which gross "hundreds of millions of dollars" in sales.
Meanwhile, with news this week that Jay Z and Beyoncé moved into a $45 million estate in California's Holmby Hills neighborhood, it's easy to conclude money isn't an issue for the superstar couple.
Word is the pair will shell out $150,000 per month for the 20,000-square-foot mansion, which features an indoor Olympic-sized pool, complete with a flowing waterfall.
Reports are the couple signed a yearlong lease on the property once inhabited by former L.A. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt.
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