Following attempts to avoid involvement in a lawsuit filed by Dwayne Walker, fashion designer and creator of the Roc-A-Fella logo, Brooklyn rapper Jay Z will now have to “cooperate with discovery” in Walker’s lawsuit via document production and depositions, according to a press release dated March 20, 2014.
In addition to Jay Z, Damon Dash and Universal Music Group are also named in the lawsuit, which cites breach of contract and copyright infringement.
“We are pleased with the court’s order,” Gregory Berry, Walker’s attorney, said in a statement. “For over 18 months Jay-Z and the other defendants have done everything they can to avoid swearing under oath to the events that led to the creation of the logo. With the decision today, the defendants’ delay tactics must stop, and Mr. Walker’s quest for justice can move forward.”
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According to Walker, who created the Roc-A-Fella logo in 1995 and still owns the copyright, Jay Z, Dash and Kareem Burke promised to give him $3500 and 2% of revenues for ten years after the first year of the logo’s use. He says he did receive the $3500, but was never given 2% of revenues. It’s reported that Walker is owed $7 million in unpaid royalties.
The lawsuit against Jay Z, Dash, and Universal Music Group was filed by Walker’s attorney in a U.S. District Court in Manhattan in July 2012 and does not serve as the first time Jay Z has been sued over a matter concerning copyright infringement or other issues pertaining to ownership.
At the top of this year, the rapper-turned-entrepreneur was named in a $600 million lawsuit filed by a man who claims he trademarked the “Brooklyn Nets” name over 10 years ago.
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Earlier this month, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, Dr. Francois de Cassagnol, filed court documents stating that he had yet to receive a response from Jay Z and advised the court “to act accordingly,” according to Radar.com.
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