LL Cool J Scores Victory In Court In "Rock The Bells" Lawsuit

BY Erika Marie 5.7K Views
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LL Cool J
The rapper previously sued a promotions company for using his signature phrase.

Before LL Cool J was known as "the guy from NCIS: Los Angeles the rapper was the force to be reckoned with in the rap game (and still is). If you're old enough to remember, back in 1985 he released his classic track "Rock The Bells," and as the years have rolled on, the title of the song has been a phrase associated with the rapper. He even used it as the name of his SiriusXM hip hop channel.

That's why LL, real name James Todd Smith. felt it was necessary to take a promotions company called Guerilla Union, Inc. to court. Smith sued the company, stating that they not only attempted to trademark "Rock The Bells," but they used the phrase as the name of a hip hop festival that ran from 2004 to 2013. Smith went as far as to contact the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, petitioning them to cancel the company's "Rock The Bells" trademarks. He finally scored a victory in 2017 when the Trademark Board agreed.

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However, the company allegedly continued to use the trademark, so he took them to court and demanded an injunction be placed to stop them legally. The Blast reports that they've obtained documents that show a judge has issued a default judgment against the promoter for unspecified damages. The promoter must "immediately transfer all control of social media accounts, website domains, and other intellectual property." There is no word on whether or not they had to pay up, as well.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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