Rihanna sues her father for using her brand name Fenty to launch business
Singing sensation Rihanna has sued her own father Ronald Fenty for using her brand name Fenty to launch a business for himself. In a new lawsuit obtained by tmz.com, Rihanna claims her father Ronald started a talent development company in 2017 called Fenty Entertainment.
The "S&M" hitmaker has already trademarked "Fenty" to use in a number of business ventures, including her well-known Fenty Beauty line. She claims he is profiting off the reputation she has created with the brand. In the documents, the 30-year-old singer says her father and a business partner falsely advertised themselves as her reps to solicit millions of dollars, including trying to book her for 15 shows in Latin America in December 2017 for $15 million -- all without her authorization.
Rihanna claims later her dad even unsuccessfully tried to file a trademark for "Fenty" to use with resort boutique hotels. She says she has sent multiple cease and desist letters to her father, ordering him to stop capitalising off her Fenty trademarks, but says he has ignored them and continued to make money off Fenty Entertainment. "Defendants continue to this date to use their misrepresentations for their commercial advantage and to mislead the public," it says. "This fraudulent conduct harms not only plaintiffs but the public at large and requires judicial intervention."
Mr Fenty, with whom Rihanna has said she has a difficult relationship, started the firm in California in 2017 with business partner Moses Perkins, according to the lawsuit. A press release, posted on the firm's website until "at least October 2018" announced the launch of the firm "with" Rihanna, despite the fact that she was not involved, it says.
It further says, "Although Mr Fenty is Rihanna's father, he does not presently, nor has he ever, had the authority to act on Rihanna's behalf or had the right to use her Fenty mark, to exploit the goodwill of her Fenty brands or to solicit business on her behalf."
She is asking a judge to place an injunction on her dad using the name Fenty and for damages.
(With IANS inputs)
