(AllHipHop News) If the news article’s title is confusing, the story behind it does not help much either. Original members of the legendary group The Pharcyde are in the middle of a legal battle over the misuse of the group’s name.
Romye Robinson (B##### Brown) and Imani Wilcox (Imani) are suing fellow founding members Derrick Stewart (Fatlip) and Trevant Hardson (Slimkid3) in federal court in Los Angeles following an apparent breach in a previous agreement.
According to the lawsuit, Stewart and Hardson have been performing under the Pharcyde name even though both men left the group over 10 years ago and signed a 1997 recording contract which gave Robinson and Wilcox control of “names, likenesses and other identifying material, only in connection with the sale or promotion of recordings recorded under the recording contract as amended.” The lawsuit attests that this transfer of group rights was agreed upon again following The Pharcyde’s brief reunion in 2008.
Since then Stewart and Hardson have been booking shows under The Pharcyde name and allegedly scheduling shows in the same city Robinson and Wilcox were set to perform days before:
“These practices of the defendants have caused a great deal of confusion among consumers, with a likelihood of additional confusion at each stop of the plaintiffs’ tour, and have cost plaintiffs revenue from consumers who might otherwise pay to see a Pharcyde performance, wrongfully believing that the legitimate concerts by plaintiffs will be the same show that just appeared in that city”
Hardson and Stewart are being sued for breach of contract, trademark infringement, violation of right of publicity, unfair competition, unjust enrichment, and injunctive and declaratory relief.