Diddy faces more legal issues following several allegations of sexual assault. According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, Charles Kenyatta Jr. a.k.a. Charlie Cee sued the Bad Boy Records founder for trademark infringement and breach of contract in New York.
Kenyatta, an inmate at Collins Correctional Facility in New York, claimed his “Act Bad” trademark was infringed upon by Diddy. Kenyatta said he never permitted Diddy’s use of “Act Bad” for merchandise tied to the mogul’s 2023 single of the same name. Diddy’s lawyer allegedly ignored emails from Kenyatta’s lawyer after mentioning an agreement regarding the “Act Bad” trademark.
“The Certificate of Engagement and release Bad Boy Part 4 LLC contract was made and signed without the consent, assent or knowledge of Charles Kenyatta Jr.,” the lawsuit contended. “Plaintiff was entered into a contract with Sean Combs, owner of Bad Boy Part 4 LLC, without consent. The contract was sent to Plaintiff’s Entertainment Lawyer Andrew Covington on June 1st, 2023. The Plaintiff’s lawyer contacted defendant Sean Combs’ Lawyer Pamela Gurley and was told the contract was agreed by both parties. After that, Defendant Sean Comb’s lawyer stopped answering emails from Plaintiff’s Lawyer Andrew Covington.”
Kenyatta said Diddy and someone identified as John Doe orchestrated a scheme to keep the plaintiff out of the deal. Kenyatta accused Diddy of knowingly marketing and selling “Act Bad” products in bad faith.
“Sean Combs made a song called ‘ACT BAD’ and wanted to [sell] Act Bad merchandise, a percentage of the net profits for recorded song and music video, also a percentage of merchandise T-shirts, hats, etc.” Kenyatta explained. “Charles Kenyatta Jr did not sign [the] contract because he was incarcerated, and any contract should be [forwarded] to his Power of Attorney to sign on his behalf. Secondly, it was another person’s name on the contract that had to be removed. The percentage was not of Plaintiff’s liking, there was no upfront or advance monetary and it was a bunch of miscellaneous things plaintiff wanted to remove off contract.”
He continued, “The defendant Sean Combs and John Doe had a scheme to illegally squeeze out Plaintiff Charles Kenyatta Jr. from the contract. Plaintiff’s lawyer told Defendant Sean Comb’s lawyer John Doe has no ownership of Act Bad and should not be on the contract. A few weeks after that the defendant Sean Combs and John Doe were seen on stage performing the song ‘Act Bad’ together. After defendant Sean Combs and John Doe signed contract without Charles Kenyatta Jr.’s consent, the defendant Sean Combs use of trademark caused confusion as to the affiliation, connection.”
Kenyatta, who’s representing himself in the lawsuit, said his “Act Bad” trademark was tarnished by Diddy’s sexual assault allegations. The plaintiff sought $10 million in damages.