Is T.I. In More Trouble?
You already know AKOO as T.I.‘s clothing line.
But there is an older, bigger Akoo out there—and it’s mad as hell.
Akoo International is the world’s largest social music television network, and it has just filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Clifford J. Harris Jr., also known as rapper T.I., and his clothing brand, for trademark infringement. According to HipHopPress:
Akoo International, which has long used the federally registered trademark Akoo, delivers music video programming and advertising to 89.6 million monthly consumers in out-of-home environments, including premium shopping malls and leading universities in 54 top metropolitan areas across 30 states.
The company’s patented technology empowers viewers to interact with programming on large-screen, networked HDTVs using their mobile devices like remote controls. Viewers can select music videos from all four major record labels—via text message request or Akoo’s mobile app—and share them on the network, free and on-demand. Viewers can also participate in location-based digital marketplaces and social media activities.
Akoo believes Harris’s infringing use of the Akoo trademark in connection with his new clothing line has and will mislead, deceive, and confuse consumers and prospective Akoo clients, who mistakenly believe that the clothing line is connected, associated, or affiliated with Akoo when no such connection exists. Confusion exists since the Akoo social music television network is deployed in shopping malls and the Akoo Clothing Brand is promoted in a manner that emphasizes ties to the music entertainment business, including providing playback of T.I.’s music videos via the www.akooclothingbrand.com website.
Further, Harris’s alleged infringement has diluted the goodwill successfully built up by Akoo, particularly as a result of the recent controversy and widespread negative publicity stemming from the Akoo Clothing Brand’s sexually explicit billboard in Newark, New Jersey.
Can T.I. catch a break or what? If you had to rename his line, what would it be?
If you’re a fan of AKOO gear, cop it on DrJays.com—the exclusive online retailer!
Source: Hip Hop Press
It’s funny how i and nobody i know have even heard of an akoo international music channel thingy.I thought that in order to have a clothing line you must trademark and copywrite,how can this even happen?how can u market clothes and not copywrite and trademark it so it’s official?i hope this knock off akoo loses this battle cuz akoo clothing is way better.
I like T.I but not the clothing , i hope things work out for him!!!
I love the brand and think the case is a little flimsy against T.I. There is a difference between the brands. Akoo International is different from AKOO Clothing Brand (an acronym which stands for A King of Oneself). Finally, the man has a right, as the owner of his own clothing line, to play his own music videos on his brand’s website. To suggest otherwise is preposterous.
If they make him change it. He should just put dots between the leter’s and be good
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