Pitbull always bites back.
Especially when you try to snatch his shades.
Case in point: The Miami rapper (born Armando Christian Pérez) has filed a lawsuit in Florida federal court claiming that Oakley, the sports apparel company owned by Luxottica Group S.p.A., is infringing on his "federally-registered Pitbull trademark" by producing a line of Pit Bull sunglasses.
In 2009, as noted in the suit, Pit's Rebelution tour was indeed sponsored by Oakley. So he "regularly wore Oakley-branded sunglasses while performing on stage and in media interviews." But they ain't down like that no more.
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In the 20-page complaint, Pitbull, his Coral Gables-based holding company ACP IP LLC, and his lawyers claim that Oakley's "merchandise is likely to (i) cause confusion and to deceive consumers and the public regarding its source, (ii) dilute and tarnish the distinctive quality of the PITBULL Marks, and (iii) exploit Pérez's professional persona."
Adding more bad blood to this dog fight is Pit's claim to ownership of all rights and U.S. trademark registrations to...
Yep, there are Pitbull Man and Pitbull Woman fragrances.
But more germane to this case is the existence of Pitbull "gold aviator sunglasses featuring 'DALE' cutout," which can be purchased for $10 from the official Pitbull Shop.
And of course, Pit and his legal team include a photo of his high-quality, catch-phrase-emblazoned eyewear in the complaint.
By suing Oakley and Luxottica, Pitbull is seeking to stop the apparel company from making further "substantial profits and gains to which they are not in law or in equity entitled."
He's also looking to collect "injunctive relief, damages and costs, as well as, if appropriate, enhanced damages and reasonable attorneys' fees."
With considerable showmanship, the lawsuit concludes by stating "plaintiffs respectfully demand a trial by jury."
And then it closes with an autograph from Pit himself, certifying that he's read the document.
Disappointingly, he does not sign off with a "Daleee!"
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