ATLANTA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Producer Jermaine Dupri has filed suit against an Atlanta nightclub and a promoter, alleging the unauthorized use of his name to promote an event.
According to Allhiphop news, the suit stems from the November 20th installment of a weekly event at Pure, a nightclub in Atlanta. Two days prior to to the event, Dupri's manager Nick Leo received a request from Binyam Yayine, a promoter with Elite Entertainment Group, seeking Dupri for a personal appearance at the event at Pure the suit alleges.
According to the lawsuit, Leo declined the offer, telling Yayine that Dupri would be out of the country, however the promoter and the club continued to publicise the event with Dupri's name and likeness featured on fliers, Internet and radio ads.
Leo then claims that upon learning of the continued promotion, he contacted the defendants and requested that they cease using his clients name in connection with the event but alleges that they continued to promote the event as being hosted by Dupri..
Attorneys for Dupri assert that such actions constitute a violation of Dupri's right of publicity, unfair competition, false advertising and unfair and deceptive trade practices under the federal Lanham Trademark Act. Dupri is seeking an injunction to prevent the defendants from repeating this alleged behavior and all profits obtained by use of his name and likeness along with legal fees and punitive damages.
A spokesman for Elite Entertainment could not be reached for comment. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
