This is unfortunate.
The Crips LLC is being sued by Nipsey Hussle’s brother, Samuel Asghedom (aka Blacc Sam). The suit is also against, Tia Hollis, who’s a managing member who owns a majority in the Crips LLC (not affiliated with the crip gang organization). Samuel is also the administrator of Nip’s estate and filed a suit against the two parties.
According to the complaint, Blacc Sam is suing for trademark infringement, false advertising, and unfair competition over their use of the catchphrase “The Marathon Continues,” Billboard reports. In 2019, the Crips LLC filed a trademark application for use of the phrase “The Marathon Continues” on education manuals for community organization and gang prevention. Sam opposed it and sent a notice to the trademark office. Sam claims they continued to use it for commercial purposes.
Blacc Sam is asking the court to demand the Crips LLC and Tia destroy all unlawful products and to compensate Nipsey’s estate for any advertising and other expenses to dispel public confusion, the article reports. James A. Bryant II, the estate’s attorney, told the publication in a statement,
“However, despite the outpouring support to Nipsey’s memory and his family, there are those who still seek to profit off his loss and tarnish his legacy all for personal and selfish gain. Because of these vultures, Nipsey’s family and his estate will do everything in their power to preserve and protect Nipsey’s legacy by any and all means, including taking legal action against those who would violate his memory.”
Nipsey started his TMC clothing line in 2011, trademarked it, and opened his clothing store in 2012. Nipsey was inspired to create the clothing line from two mixtapes he released under All Money Inc. His life was tragically taken away on March 31, 2019, after he was shot in the head and torso in front of his store.
Nipsey’s alleged killer is Eric Holder. He was indicted by a grand jury on May 9, 2019, on one count of murder, two counts each of attempted murder and assault with a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. His trial date was set for March but was pushed back due to the outbreak of COVID-19. He’s facing life and awaiting trail.