A Georgia rapper who went by the name Mista Swissher Sweet has to drop his name, after the cigar maker Swisher International sued him for trademark infringement.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the rapper (real name: Jontae Green), who hails from Austell, used the brand’s name and logos on his website, and on his album’s coverart for his iTunes single “Jump Around.”
In the lawsuit, which was filed last week in federal court, Swisher International said the filed the court papers to protect their brand.
26-year-old Green said he came up with the name because it was his choice of cigar, and had no intentions of trying to sabotage their brand or name. He did say he will cease the use of their logo, and chance him name.
“It ain’t no big deal,” the rapper told the paper. “The streets already know me as Swissher. I can just put my face on a CD cover and they know who it is.”
The cigar company’s attorney, Lloyd Farr, says they are happy the rapper isn’t being a problem. However, they still have to work out the legal ramifications for use of their trademark though.
“Certainly we’re happy that he’s pulling down the website and changing his name,” Farr told the Journal-Constitution.
Swisher are seeking damages of more than $100,000, and profits Green made by use of their logo.
Despite the suit, Green would like to work with Swisher to help promote their product through a possible endorsement deal. However, he said if they want his domain, swissher.com, they need to cough up $22,000.
As far as the $100,000 Swisher is seeking, Green says he doesn’t have that kind of money.
