Drake Entangled in Legal Battle with Jacket Brand Over Merchandise
Popular rapper Drake is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the iconic Eighties apparel brand Members Only. The controversy revolves around the use of the “Members Only” phrase on Drake’s recent tour merchandise, which the brand claims infringes on their trademark. This legal issue was reported by Billboard, highlighting a lawsuit filed by JR Apparel World LLC, the company that now owns and has revitalized the Members Only brand.
The lawsuit targets Drake and his entity, Away From Home Touring Inc., for selling tour t-shirts that feature the phrase “Members Only.” Notably, this phrase is also the title of a track on Drake’s 2023 album “For All the Dogs.” Despite the song title, the lawsuit argues that the use of “Members Only” on merchandise creates confusion among consumers about the origin of the merchandise, potentially misleading them into believing it is associated with the Members Only brand known for their distinctive racer jackets.
JR Apparel World LLC’s legal complaint stresses that having “Members Only” as a song title does not justify or allow the unauthorized use of their trademark on apparel, particularly as it may cause consumer confusion. The company holds the trademark for the phrase “Members Only” specifically on clothing items, reinforcing their claim against the rapper’s use of the term on non-affiliated merchandise.
This is not Drake’s first encounter with legal challenges. Recently, he was cleared from involvement in lawsuits tied to the Astroworld festival tragedy and settled another lawsuit concerning a promotional fake Vogue cover created with 21 Savage for their album “Her Loss.” Additionally, Drake had to remove his AI-assisted track “Taylor Made Freestyle” after receiving legal threats from the estate of Tupac Shakur, showcasing a series of legal navigations in his career.
This ongoing legal battle with Members Only adds to the series of legal issues that Drake has faced, underscoring the complexities of copyright and trademark uses in the music and fashion industries. More detailed coverage of this lawsuit and other celebrity news can be found on Rolling Stone’s website.
