This archive report was first published on 27 November 2019.
On November 22, 2018, American rapper Jay-Z filed a lawsuit with the Federal Court of Australia against Australian brand "The Little Homie" for infringing on his intellectual property.
The lawsuit claims that The Little Homie traded on Jay-Z's likeness and infringed on the copyright of the lyrics to his hit song "99 Problems".
The company advertised on its website a "hip-hop inspired" children's book called "A B to Jay-Z" for Au$34.95, as well as a colouring book of the same name for Au$19.95.
The books' back pages 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!"
According to The Age, Jay-Z asked the company to stop selling the books in March 2018 but it continued to use his likeness and lyrics in a "flagrant, glaring" manner.
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," the lawsuit continued.
Founder of The Little Homie, Jessica Chiha, is named as a respondent in the case.
Chiha raised Au$8,000 on Kickstarter in 2017 for the book, which teaches the alphabet using an A-Z of hip hop artists.
The case is scheduled for an initial hearing on December 6, 2018.
