February 6, 2025
Infamous B.I.G.’s property is taking massive firms to activity for illegally capitalizing off the late rapper’s picture and likeness.
The property of Christopher “Infamous B.I.G.” Wallace is suing main retailers Mattress Tub & Past, Goal, Nordstrom, and Dwelling Depot for promoting unauthorized canvas prints of the late rapper.
The lawsuit, filed Feb. 4 in New York federal courtroom, claims Wallace’s well-known “King of New York” photograph was recreated and illegally distributed by iCanvas. The plaintiffs within the case are The Infamous B.I.G. LLC, Republic Merchandising, and photographer Barron Claiborne, Billboard reported.
The plaintiffs allege the photograph has been used illegally since 2015 and displayed prominently on varied merchandise, with “full disregard for celebrities’ character rights.”
The lawsuit states, “Defendants used Mr. Wallace’s persona, title, picture, and likeness, in addition to a number of logos regarding him, and Mr. Claiborne’s Ok.O.N.Y. collection pictures, for a few years, throughout quite a few gadgets, and in a number of methods, with out authorization.”
This isn’t the primary time Claiborne and Infamous B.I.G’s property have sought to cease the unauthorized use of the picture, taken days earlier than the Brooklyn rapper’s demise. Dwelling Depot, Nordstrom, and Goal eliminated the merchandise when contacted in 2023 in regards to the unlawful use, however iCanvas and Mattress Tub & Past allegedly saved the unlicensed gadgets on the cabinets.
The lawsuit claims iCanvas has knowingly profited from these photos since 2015, in violation of federal trademark regulation, Wallace’s likeness rights held by his property, and Claiborne’s copyrights.
The property is continually battling to guard the picture and likeness of the late rapper. In
The picture of Infamous B.I.G. is well-known and thought of part of Hip-Hop historical past. The “One Extra Likelihood” rapper stands earlier than a blood-red backdrop carrying a golden crown.
The recognition and significance of the pic in Hip-Hop tradition are evidenced by the promoting of B.I.G’s plastic crown at public sale for $594,750. The plastic artifact was offered at Sotheby’s public sale home as part of a Hip-Hop memorabilia showcase in September 2020.
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