Another local is going for the jugular over a trademark of a neighborhood designation. And he’s suing Kanye West.
Lower East Side resident Michael Medina filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Kanye West and Damon Dash (who owns Poppington gallery on Orchard Street) over their episodic Loisaidas film. You see, Medina is part of a two-piece Latin band invoking that name and has owned the trademark to “Loisaidas” (Nuyorican slang) as it relates to music and film entertainment since 2008. Note the pluralization, a nod to their hometown neighborhood. The suit – lodged yesterday – alleges that the hip-hop luminaries violated his exclusive rights to the name – a word he coined.
Medina demands that Kanye West and his onetime Roc-a-Fella collaborator Damon Dash cease from infringing the Loisaidas trademark. Relief sought includes profits derived from exploitation and punitive damages.
This case is somewhat reminiscent of another local guy who chased several apparel companies of their use of his Lower East Side trademark. You’ll recall that Robert G. Lopez successfully battled brands like the Gap, Aeropostale, Macy’s, and Urban Outfitters.
Do you think Medina has a chance?
Dame Dash Responds
View Lawsuit below
Michael Molina Loisaida Lawsuit Against Kanye West
Remember Kanye West and Dame saying they would buy Karmaloop