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T.I. is facing legal action over his clothing label Akoo – he’s been slapped with a trademark infringement lawsuit concerning the brand name.
Just a year after the Live Your Life hit-maker, real name Clifford Harris, Jr., officially launched Akoo Clothing, he has been sued by bosses at social music TV network Akoo International, who claim they own the sole rights to the name.
TV executives have filed suit against T.I. in the District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, insisting they have held the Akoo trademark for years, reports AllHipHop.com. They are demanding the rapper stop using the brand name because his clothing range has misled and deceived consumers and potential clients of the TV network, which delivers video footage to over 86 million customers a month in the U.S.
Akoo CEO Niko Drakoulis says, “Akoo has been recognized as a leading social TV platform for connecting brand advertisers with millions of our engaged viewers. Our primary obligation and goal is to prevent confusion among our consumers, which is among the most basic objectives of trademark law. At the same time, Akoo has invested nearly a decade of effort and substantial capital to deploy its network and will do everything in its power to protect its brand.”
Akoo International bosses were prompted to sue T.I. after a billboard advertising his fashion range in Newark, New Jersey caused controversy for being too sexually suggestive. Protests from local residents and Mayor Cory Booker led to the ad being taken down earlier this month.
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