Future and Sony Music Settle ‘High Off Life’ Trademark Lawsuit
The suit was filed by independent artist Z. Rich in 2020.
Future’s production company, Freebandz Productions, and Sony Music have settled a lawsuit filed over his eighth studio album High Off Life. The suit was filed in October 2020 by High Off Life LLC, a clothing company based in Atlanta.
In the lawsuit, the LLC alleges that “overnight, defendants destroyed HOL’s investment of many years and many thousands of dollars into building consumer recognition,” Billboard reported.
The company is owned by independent music artist Z. Rich, who started his clothing company in 2009. He alleges that he’s been using the name for years to sell branded merchandise.
Although Sony attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed early last year, a U.S. judge ruled that both sides had to be able to present their argument before he determined the suit proceedings.
“Given that further development of a factual record is necessary before conducting an in-depth analysis of Defendants’ First Amendment defense, the Court declines to further consider Defendants’ First Amendment arguments at this stage of the proceedings,” the judge wrote in court documents.
The case was ultimately filed to be dismissed on Tuesday after both parties reported they had reached a settlement for an undisclosed sum.
In other music news, Céline Dion fans protested outside Rolling Stone after the artist was left off the greatest singers list.
