News: Jay-Z Gets Sued For Reproducing
An interior designer charges rapper Jay-Z reproduced his designs without permission, in a lawsuit filed in New York.
Ilan Waisbod said he designed the interior of Jay-Z's 40/40 Club in Manhattan -- complete with flat-screen TV, hanging chairs and a Lucite safe guarding the cognac. In the suit filed last week, Waisbod claims Jay-Z used similar designs for a second 40/40 Club in Atlantic City, the New York Post reported.
Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, is planning to open clubs with similar interiors in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Singapore - a violation of the club's agreement with Waisbod's design firm, Studio Gaia, the law suit claims.
The club has a history of non-payment and bounced checks - stiffing three contractors prior to its opening in 2002 - and even bounced its check to the State Liquor Authority for a license to sell alcohol, TheSmokingGun.com reported.
Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page has filed a lawsuit against Jay-Z for unlawful use of his "Diamond Cutter" hand signal.
Page, born Page Falkinburg, filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles Federal Court, claiming he trademarked the rights to the diamond-shaped symbol in 1996 and has used it for wrestling and other entertainment ventures on multiple occasions.
Page contends that Jay-Z started using the diamond symbol years after on various commercial products, including the cover of Dynasty: Roc La Familia 2000 and Fade to Black.
Hip-hop fans are aware that the Def Jam President has used the diamond sign to signify his Roc-A-Fella Records dynasty.
According to Page, he introduced the "Diamond Cutter" symbol in 1996 on WCW's weekly Nitro and Thunder programs.
The wrestler, who uses the sign on the cover of his new book "Yoga for Regular Guys," also says he used the symbol on monthly PPV events, WCW live events, and media appearances, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Representatives for Jay-Z or Roc-A-Fella were not immediately available for comment.
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