LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Rapper Lil Jon poses before the start of Game Two of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena between the Connecticut Sun and the Las Vegas Aces on September 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He performed at halftime of the game. The Aces defeated the Sun 85-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Lil Jon has retained an attorney after threatening Live Nation for the use of his song title “Lovers & Friends” for a festival that he’s not even scheduled to play in, according to legal documents obtained by The Shade Room.
The news, first broke by TMZ on Monday, showed court filings of Lil Jon’s attorney, filed against Live Nation, having detailed his efforts to reach a monetary agreement with the wildly popular Las Vegas music festival.
The legal document states that the rapper had “trusted Live Nation to do the right thing,” after claiming the concert-promoter’s festival was ripping off the King of Crunk’s 2004 hit “Lovers & Friends,” featuring Usher and Ludacris.
It goes on to say that the name of the song, and of the festival in question, has become “synonymous” with the rapper, and made mention of common law trademark infringement.
Lil Jon reportedly immediately objected to the company’s use of the title, and said he had contacted Live Nation asking where they got a license to use the “Lovers & Friends” name.
Live Nation responded essentially “we don’t need no stinking license!” the legal document states.
The threatening letter went on to say that Live Nation has since made the festival an annual thing, further angering Lil Jon.
“At best, this is a serious infringement of Lil Jon’s common law trademark.”
The rapper’s legal notice also noted that most concertgoers will assume he is involved with the festival, based solely of the festival’s name.
The notice dismissed Live Nation’s efforts to trademark the name with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, which the rapper’s attorney says “does not alter the fact that Lil Jon owns the common law trademark of the name.
The forceful legal letter ended saying the rapper believes he can come to an agreement with Live Nation that could make both parties happy.
Meanwhile, Lil Jon added he’s not afraid to move forward with litigation and a lawsuit should no agreement come to fruition.
