Jay Z is being sued for at least $600 million over Brooklyn Nets name

Jay Z, the NBA and developer Bruce Ratner are being sued for $600 million over The Brooklyn Nets' name, according to RadarOnline. A displeased entrepreneur claims that he trademarked the name "Brooklyn Nets" long before the basketball team ever left New Jersey for Brooklyn.

The Plaintiff, Dr. Francois de Cassagnol, filed the suit on December 9 asking for a juried trial over the issue and at least $600 million in damages. According to court documents, the plaintiff claims that the NBA, Jay Z and Ratner "fraudulently conspired" to use "loopholes" in the U.S. Patent Office so they could use the name "Brooklyn Nets," which he says he had registered more than 10 years ago.

Evidential documents show that he did indeed file applications in 2012 for "The Brooklyn Nets Entertainment Logo," which was first used in the State of Louisiana in 2003. De Cassagnol also claims that he had spoken with New Jersey Nets officials prior to their move to make sure they wouldn't use the name but instead opt for "New York Nets."

Since the team announced in 2012 that they would be called the Brooklyn Nets, de Cassagnol has been wrapped up in a legal battle to get back what he believes he owns.

He lost his previous appeal to the Patent Office after the board determined that he had filed his paperwork long after news of the team moving to Brooklyn had broke and that "none of the described uses" of his Brooklyn Nets Business were significant enough to overrule the NBA's federal trademark application. De Cassagnol originally filed with the State of Louisiana.

Despite the previous findings, he still is determined to win the case and is asking for at least $600 million because the value of the New Jersey Nets increased several hundred million dollars after moving to Brooklyn.

You can read the court documents that Radar obtained here. What do you think of this lawsuit? Let us know in the comments section below!

Tags

Jay-Z