Sean “Diddy” Combs has been served with a new lawsuit, according to sources. Charles Kenyatta Jr., the founder of Bad Boy Records, is suing him in New York for trademark infringement and breach of contract.
Kenyatta Jr., an inmate at Collins Correctional Facility, claims Diddy infringed on his trademark on “Act Bad” by releasing a song with the same name last year, according to court records obtained by Hot New Hip Hop.
According to Kenyatta Jr., he began email interaction with Diddy, but the musician stopped responding to his lawyer’s letters after bringing up the trademark.
“Sean Combs made a song called ‘ACT BAD’ and wanted to [sell] Act Bad merchandise, a percentage of the net profits for recorded song and music video, also a percentage of merchandise T-shirts, hats, etc.” Kenyatta Jr. elaborated in his court documents.
Kenyatta Jr. also stated in his filings that he could not sign the deal with Diddy because he was in jail. He anticipated Diddy to have forwarded the contract to his Power of Attorney.
“Secondly, there was another person’s name on the contract that needed to be erased. The proportion was not to Plaintiff’s satisfaction, there was no upfront or advance monetary payment, and there were a number of minor items plaintiff wanted removed from the contract.”
“The defendant Sean Combs and John Doe had a scheme to illegally squeeze out Plaintiff Charles Kenyatta Jr. from the contract,” he went on to say. “Plaintiff’s lawyer informed Defendant Sean Comb’s lawyer that John Doe has no ownership of Act Bad and should not be on the contract.” A few weeks later, the defendants Sean Combs and John Doe appeared on stage together, playing the song ‘Act Bad’. After defendant Sean Combs and John Doe signed a contract without Charles Kenyatta Jr.’s authorization, defendant Sean Combs’ use of the trademark created uncertainty about the relationship and link.”
Kenyatta Jr. is reportedly asking for $10 million in damages.
This is just one of several lawsuits that the artist and music producer is facing. It should be noted that in 2023, some women accused the musician of sexual abuse, however he has denied any misconduct.