S. Samuel
Former drug kingpin Freeway Ricky Ross has decided to continue his legal battle against rapper Rick Ross over the unauthorized usage of his name by threatening to place a court order blocking the release of Teflon Don.
According to reports, Freeway is seeking an injunction if Ross (real name William Roberts) continues to use his name.
“If William Roberts attempts to use the ‘Rick Ross’ name that he spent years earning and spending time in prison to uphold, he will be met with an injunction,” a representative for Freeway Rick Ross told AllHipHop.com. “Simple as that. This is not a publicity stunt, a game or a hoax, to sell some Rick Ross albums, as some have suggested. In fact, [Freeway] Rick Ross intends to halt the release of any Summer 2010 ‘Rick Ross’ album.” (All Hip Hop)
Last month, Freeway justified his decision to handle the situation in a legal manner.
“I just want my name back,” Rick told XXL. “I don’t want to have to be ‘the real Rick Ross.’ When I go places I have to explain to people that I am the real one because Def Jam has put him on TV and now people recognize him. It causes a conflict.” Although he hasn’t made up his mind about whether he wants complete rights over the use of the name or just damages, he maintains that the suit is not personal. “It ain’t even really against William Roberts you know what I’m saying?” Ross added. “It’s really against Def Jam because they making all this money off of my name and you know those guys didn’t even reach out and said hello to me since I been home.” (XXL Mag)
Freeway’s nephew/rapper, Slim da Mobster, has also addressed Ross’ usage of the name.
“So for me, it just be funny when I hear a n*gga use somebody that I actually know’s name and it comes to [known] for one, [Rick Ross] was a cop or a C.O., police, worker, whatever. Now you’re confusing people with this picture you painted. That’s like you painting a picture and me takin’ credit for it. That’s like your picture with my signature at the bottom of it. That ain’t cool. When you’ve sat in prison for over 20 years for this sh*t, I don’t want anybody using my name unless you’re along those lines or you’re of that caliber.” (Hip Hop DX)
Freeway officially filed a lawsuit against Ross and Def Jam over the commercial usage of his name.
In a press release issued to us on Monday (May 24), Ross’ camp accused rapper Rick Ross, Def Jam and Universal of profiting “off of his name unlawfully while he was in jail, without his consent.” “It’s no secret that the boss at FreewayEnterprise.com is unhappy with how his name has been exploited and misused since he went to prison in 1995, and in 2006, the above-named parties signed [William L. Roberts II] (Rick Ross’ government name) to a big record deal and then spent, and made, millions off Ross’ name,” Freeway Ricky’s camp says in a press release. (Baller Status)
Rick Ross’ Teflon Don is scheduled to drop Tuesday, July 6th.
Check out Freeway Ricky Ross speaking on Rick Ross down below:
