Jay-Z lawsuit gives Aussie retailer 99 problems

SYDNEY: Hip hop superstar Jay-Z is suing a small online Australian retailer for profiting from the use of his name and hit song 99 Problems

in books that teach children the alphabet.

Shawn Carter, best known by his stage name Jay-Z, filed a lawsuit with the Federal Court of Australia on Nov 22 claiming Australian brand “The Little Homie” had infringed on his intellectual property.

The Age newspaper reported on Tuesday that, according to the American rapper’s lawyers, the company traded on his likeness and infringed on the copyright of the lyrics to 99 Problems.

The Little Homie advertises on its website a “hip-hop inspired” children’s book called A B to Jay-Z for A$34.95 (RM99), as well as a colouring book of the same name for A$19.95 (RM56.50).

The back pages of the books riff off the lyrics to 99 Problems – “If you’re having alphabet problems I feel bad for you son, I got 99 problems but my ABC’s ain’t one!” – a photo posted on The Little Homie’s website showed.

The lawsuit said Jay-Z asked the company to stop selling the books in March 2018 but it continued to “deliberately and knowingly” use his likeness and lyrics in a “flagrant, glaring” manner, according to The Age.

The use of the rapper’s name, image and lyrics was “calculated to injure, has injured and is continuing to injure the reputation and goodwill of Mr Carter,” it continued.

Jessica Chiha, the founder of The Little Homie, is named as a respondent in the case.