Current:Home > MarketsJelly Roll sued by Pennsylvania wedding band Jellyroll over trademark -Evergrow Capital
Jelly Roll sued by Pennsylvania wedding band Jellyroll over trademark
View
Date:2025-04-27 14:35:24
Jelly Roll is dealing with some not so sweet legal issues.
The Grammy-nominated country singer has been sued by a member of the wedding band Jellyroll for trademark infringement in a lawsuit filed in a federal court in Pennsylvania's eastern district on April 8, court records obtained by USA TODAY show.
Jellyroll band member Kurt L. Titchenell claims their band started using the moniker in 1980, before the "Wild Ones" singer was born. They first obtained a trademark in 2010 and it was renewed for another 10 years in 2019, paperwork filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office shows.
In Titchenell's trademark complaint against Jelly Roll (born Jason Bradley DeFord), he says the band has been performing at events under Jellyroll "since at least 1980," including "two appearances at the White House for President George W. Bush and his family."
The band said prior to the rapper-turned-country singer's rise to fame, a query for the name Jellyroll on search engines such as Google would bring results back to them. Now, Google search results don't get to them until "as many as 18-20 references."
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Jelly Roll for comment.
Who is Jelly Roll?A look at his journey from prison to best new artist Grammy nominee
Titchenell claims in the complaint that Jelly Roll was sent a cease and desist for using the moniker but "ignored this demand" all while "knowing that it continues to irreparably harm" the band.
The country musician has been going by Jelly Roll since childhood, which he told CBS in January stems from a nickname given to him by his mother.
"To this day, my mother calls me Jelly. If somebody walked in here right now and said, 'Jason,' I wouldn't look up," he told the outlet.
Jelly Roll weight loss:Singer says he's lost around 70 pounds as he preps for 5K race
Jellyroll member says Jelly Roll's felon past has caused negative association for their band
In addition to making it more difficult for people to search for the Pennsylvania-based wedding band, Titchenell alleges Jelly Roll's "troubled past, which includes a felony conviction and imprisonment," has "caused additional harm" for possible association confusion.
Jelly Roll was formerly incarcerated for two counts of aggravated robbery and possession with intent to sell cocaine. The admitted former drug dealer is now an advocate for drug reform, particularly the fentanyl crisis.
"Fentanyl transcends partisanship and ideology. ... This is a totally different problem … I am not here to defend the use of illegal drugs," he said during a January appearance before Congress on Capitol Hill at a hearing titled "Stopping the Flow of Fentanyl: Public Awareness and Legislative Solutions."
He also noted his "unique paradox of his history as a drug dealer" who was "part of the problem" and now aims "to be a part of the solution."
Titchenell's complaint argues the band has been especially frustated as Jelly Roll plans to embark on his nationwide Beautifully Broken tour, which includes a stop in Philadelphia at a venue where the band is "well-known and has performed."
Contributing: Melissa Ruggieri, Natalie Neysa Alund and Jeanine Santucci
veryGood! (61168)
Related
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- Clayton MacRae: How The AI Era Shape the World
- Clayton MacRae : AI vs Civilization
- The real migrant bus king of North America isn't the Texas governor. It's Mexico's president.
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- Kim Kardashian Debuts Icy Blonde Hair Transformation
- Bucks won't have Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard for Game 4 vs. Pacers
- Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban step out with daughters Sunday and Faith on AFI gala carpet
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- New York Rangers sweep Washington Capitals, advance to second round of NHL playoffs
Ranking
- Small twin
- NFL draft grades: Bears, Steelers lead best team classes as Cowboys stumble
- Save 70% on Alo Yoga, 50% on First Aid Beauty, 40% on Sleep Number Mattresses & More Deals
- Bronx dog owner mauled to death by his pit bull
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Train carrying fuel derails at Arizona-New Mexico state line, causes interstate closure
- Dead infant found at Florida university campus; police investigating
- Gypsy Rose Blanchard to Share So Much More Truth in Upcoming Memoir
Recommendation
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
15 Dorm Essentials You'll Want to Add to Your Packing List ASAP So You Don't Forget Later On
15 Dorm Essentials You'll Want to Add to Your Packing List ASAP So You Don't Forget Later On
United Auto Workers reaches deal with Daimler Truck, averting potential strike of more than 7,000 workers
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
AIGM adding Artificial Intelligent into Crypto Trading Platform
Candace Parker, a 3-time WNBA champion and 2-time Olympic gold medalist, announces retirement
Clayton MacRae: How The AI Era Shape the World