The son of deceased N.W.A rapper Eazy-E has fired back in a lawsuit filed by the company owned by Eazy-E’s widow, claiming that the company “made false, material misrepresentations of fact in connection with its applications” for the trademarks of N.W.A and Ruthless Records.
Eric Darnel Wright (aka Lil Eazy-E) and his associate Arnold E. White were sued by Tomica Woods-Wright’s company, Comptown Records, in August. The lawsuit alleges that the pair’s website Ruthlessrecordsinc creates “the impression that [their company] NWALLC is the ultimate owner of Ruthless’ trade names and marks. Defendants state: ‘Ruthless Records Inc. is an exclusive branding and marketing agency for NWA Entertainment and signed artists under NWA Entertainment.” Comptown alleges that those assertions are “intentionally false and misleading.”
According to the suit, Comptown Records took over ownership of Eazy-E’s label Ruthless Records after the rapper’s death in 1995, and has “continuously used the trade names, trademarks, and service marks RUTHLESS, RUTHLESS RECORDS, and N.W.A. ”
But in legal papers filed this week, Eazy-E’s son calls B.S. on those claims, saying that Comptown gave up the right to those marks through abandonment, and in any case Comptown’s application for the marks was marred by false claims.
“Upon information and belief, Plaintiff made false and material representations with the intent to deceive the United States Trademark Office,” Wright’s counterclaim, filed Tuesday in California federal court, reads.
In his answer to the complaint, Wright also accuses Comptown of “fraudulent activity prior to obtaining the registrations” for the marks.
Eazy-E, real name Eric Wright, founded Ruthless Records in 1986 along with Dr. Dre and Jerry Heller in order to publish releases by Eazy-E and N.W.E. The label went on to release albums by numerous successful artists. Eazy-E died in 1995 from complications of AIDS.
Pamela Chelin contributed to this report.
'Straight Outta Compton' and 9 Other Hip-Hop Movies That Were Ballers at the Box Office (Photos)
"Straight Outta Compton" (2015) The biopic about the rise and fall of N.W.A blazed into box-office history with a $60.2 million debut, the biggest opening ever for an R-rated film in August.
Universal
"8 Mile" (2002) The drama, about a struggling young rapper (Eminem), made $116.8 million domestically at the box office. With a budget of $41 million, this hip-hop movie was a big baller for Universal.
Universal
"Notorious" (2009) Chronicling the life and death of rap icon Notorious B.I.G., the film had a budget of $20 million and made $36.8 million domestically. It starred Jamal Woolard and Derek Luke.
20th Century Fox
"Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (2005) 50 Cent starred in this semi-autobiographical drama about a drug dealer who turns away from crime to pursue a career in rap. It made $30 million domestically off a $40 million budget.
Paramount Pictures
"Brown Sugar" (2002) This movie about a magazine editor who falls in love with a hip-hop record exec starred Taye Diggs, Sanaa Lathan and Mos Def. It made $27.3 million off a budget of $8 million.
Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Bulworth" (1998) Warren Beatty directs and stars in this drama about a politician who decides to start speaking the truth and using rap music to get his point across. Isaiah Washington and Halle Berry co-starred in the film, which made $26.5 million at the domestic box office. However, it had a $30 million budget.
20th Century Fox
"Hustle & Flow" (2005) Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning and Taraji P. Henson star in the Oscar-winning film about a Memphis pimp who strives to become a successful hip-hop MC. It made $22.2 million domestically on a $2.8 million budget.
Paramount Classics
"CB4" (1993) Chris Rock co-wrote and starred in this "mockumentary" about the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson and Dead Mike, members of the rap group CB4. It grossed $17.9 million at the box office.
Universal
"Beat Street" (1984) The movie centers around an aspiring DJ from the Bronx who tries to expose people to hip-hop. The film grossed $16.6 million at the domestic box office.
Orion Pictures
"Krush Groove" (1985) The drama is based on the early days of Def Jam and follows Russell Walker as he manages up-and-coming acts, which included Run-D.M.C. It starred the real members of Run-D.M.C. and and the Fat Boys. It grossed about $11 million at the box office on a $3 million budget.
Warner Bros.
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In honor of the N.W.A biopic’s record opening, TheWrap looks at 9 other films about hip-hop that broke out on the big screen