Former Hip Hop mogul and aspiring network executive Percy Miller (formerly known as Master P.) is being sued by Pepe Jeans London, LLC. for trademark infringement.
According to documents filed in a Manhattan, NY South District Court, Miller, Wal-Mart Inc. and manufacturer Happy Nation Inc. are being sued for copying Pepe Jeans‘ distinct logo, which is described as “a stylized P enclosed in a circle.”
“The complaint also alleges that the logo’s placement on the hangtags infringes on Pepe‘s tradition of displaying its ‘P’ mark on a round plastic tab halfway down the tags of its merchandise,” says Matthew Lynch of the fashion magazine Daily National Republic. “Pepe and its co-plaintiff licensee Jean Design Ltd. are seeking an injunction against the use of the logo, all profits and damages that ensued from infringing activities, legal fees and unspecified damages.”
Miller says he has been using the logo since 1989, but documents from the US Patent and Trademark Office show a first-use date of April 1, 2003. While Pepe Jeans is based in London, their date of first-use within the United States is listed as June 1, 2003. There is currently no public record available proving when or if Pepe Jeans trademarked the logo in the UK.
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“I went to the website of PepeJeans.com and couldn’t find a circled-P anywhere, on their clothing, or the brand advertising within the site,”Miller said, while speaking to MarketWatch.com.“I’m the future of affordable fashion and big brands will always hate me, but they shouldn’t throw stones if they live in a glass house.”
Pepe has issued no public statement on the matter. Apparently ruffled by what he deems is the frivolous nature of the suit, P issued the type of response not seen since his tenure at No Limit Records.
“I am also filing a countersuit against Nitin, Arun, and Milan Shah and Pepe Jeans London, LLC. for tortious interference with my business and future business with Wal-Mart,” says Miller. “And since they saw fit to go after my retailer, I will return the favor and file suit against several of their retailers like Macy’s, Dr. Jay’s, Nordstrom, and Eastbay.”
