A hip-hop festival can no longer employ the same name as James Todd SmithÂs (LL Cool J) 1985 hit single i.e. Rock the Bells, without the rapperÂs permission. LL Cool J filed a lawsuit in November 2018 against Guerrilla Union, the promoters behind the said music festival. Recent reports confirm that the rapper has now won the lawsuit.
According to the initial suit, it was alleged that in 2004, Guerilla Union and its founder Chang Weisberg had filed an application to trade mark the title ÂRock the BellsÂ. This was subsequently used for the festival and its web domain and social media channels. LL Cool J would later appeal to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in order to cancel the abovementioned trade mark.
A California federal judge has recently decided that Guerrilla Union is precluded from utilising the title ÂRock the Bells without the rapperÂs consent. The promoters must permanently refrain from Âmanufacturing, transporting, promoting, importing, advertising, publicizing, distributing, offering for sale, or selling any goods or services under the aforementioned name, as LL Cool J is deemed the Âexclusive owner of that trade mark. Moreover, by 10 May 2019, Guerrilla Union must also furnish all items bearing the rapperÂs ÂRock the Bells trade mark so that they may be destroyed.
