Memphis Rap
http://www.memphisrap.com/browse.php/article1101.html
Rapper Jay-Z gets lawsuit for using hand signs
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
According to sources a federal judge granted to add Rocawear and it's owners to a trademark and copyright infringement suit which was filed by wrestler Diamond Dallas Page against Jay-Z. The suit was stated to have been filed in a Los Angeles Federal Court on December 2, 2005 allegedly claiming that Jay-Z used and adopted pro wrestler Diamond Dallas Page's tradmark hand gesture noted as the "Diamond Cutter" and used it as if it was his owns whereas the hand symbol. The symbol is most common amongst the Freemasonry faternity and other groups.
The suit state and accuses Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella Records of using the hand symbol misappropriately. The suits adds that many athletes and celebrities also flashed the Diamond Cutter sport move where Hershel Walker acknowledged the trademarked symbol known as the Plaintiff's hand sign. The suit adds Rocawear owners of Roc Apparel Group LLC, Urban Menswear LLC and Rocawear Licensing LCC.
Currently, Diamond Dallas Page is looking to prohibit Jay-Z from using the hand gesture and is seeking monetary damages due to findings that the Diamond Cutter symbol was used in Jay-Z's clothing line Rocawear and manunfactured and sold merchandise bearing the symbol.
Diamond Dallas Page is using the sign as his brand-building logo since he has moved on from wrestling to entertainment and other business ventures. Diamond Dallas Page is using the symbol for his t-shirts, hats, posters and more. Diamond Dallas Page also bears the symbol on his 3 DVD set "Yoga For Regular Guys" and book, and will also use it on his upcoming motivational audio book "Own Your Life".
Further Reading:
