Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Jay Z & Dame Dash Over Roc-A-Fella Records Logo

THE LABEL’S CO-FOUNDERS WIN A DECISION IN MANHATTAN COURT

(AllHipHop News) Jay Z and Dame Dash found out some good news this week.

A Manhattan federal judge has dismissed a $7 million lawsuit filed in 2012 against the Hip Hop moguls.

Clothing designer Dwayne Walker sued Shawn “Jay Z” Carter, Damon “Dame” Dash, Kareem “Biggs” Burke, Roc-A-Fella Records, and Universal Music Group for breach of contract and copyright infringement.

Walker claimed he created the famous logo for Roc-A-Fella, the record label co-founded by Jay, Dame, and Biggs in 1995.

The defendants said the image was actually designed by Roc-A-Fella art director Adrien Vargas .

Roc-A-Fella Records Logo
Roc-A-Fella Records Logo

U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter in Manhattan ruled that Walker was not entitled to any royalties.

Judge Carter’s decision stated there was not enough clear evidence an alleged contract between the two parties ever existed.

“This leaves only plaintiff’s own self-serving testimony that he drafted the contract, that he and Dash signed it, and that he lost track of it in 1998,” wrote Judge Carter. “This testimony alone is not enough.”

Walker asserted he designed the Roc-A-Fella logo in 1995 and license it to Jay, Dash, and Biggs in return for $3,500 and 2% of revenues for ten years after the first year of use.

His lawsuit was based on the argument he never received the 2% royalties and still owns the copyright to the logo.

Judge Carter also dictated Walker should not have waited five years to sue after supposedly finding out he was owed royalties.

Walker plans to appeal the court’s decision.