JAY-Z Sues Australian Online Retailer Over Children's Book

JAY-Z has filed a lawsuit against an Australian web retailer for trademark and copyright infringement over a book titled A B to Jay-Z, which repurposes a lyric from the rapper's hit, "99 Problems."

As per a new report from The New York Times, the online shop The Little Homie sells a number of hip-hop-inspired books and clothing items for children, but the aforementioned release was the target of the lawsuit. In the complaint, the rapper alleged that the use of his name, likeness and references to his hit constitute "a deliberate and knowing attempt to trade off the reputation and good will." Additionally, the complaint states that that the rapper's attorneys have sent multiple cease-and-desist letters to The Little Homie since 2017. At time of press, the book was still on sale for a marked down price of $14.98.

In the book, which features the likeness of other rappers like The Notorious B.I.G. and Eminem, it reads: "If you’re having alphabet problems I feel bad for your son, I got 99 problems but my ABCs ain’t one." HOV's original lyric is "If you’re having girl problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but a b*tch ain’t one."

"We are unbelievably disappointed to find ourselves caught in a legal battle with someone whose music we love and adore," The Little Homie owner Jessica Chiha said in a statement to the Times.

Photo: Getty Images


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