Rapper-turned-actor T.I. just took an L in the courtroom that could end up rerouting his latest creative endeavor in New York, which wouldn't be the first time his love for the city was unrequited. A Federal judge ruled that T.I. and his production company, Grand Hustle Films, cannot use the title "Situationships" for their upcoming film, at least without giving their arch-rival in the trademark space a little love tap.
Featherstone Entertainment, whose president, Cylla Senii, runs it, wasn't about to give up the title. The company has owned the "Situationships" trademark since 2023; however, its use of the name goes back even further. For the last five years at least, Featherstone has been narrating tales of the wild world of modern love via a web series, a screenplay, and a book all under the corner."
Check Out this Article: Is There Bad Blood Brewing Between JAY-Z & Nicki Minaj?
So when T.I.'s team began using the title in casting calls, interviews, and preliminary production material, Featherstone began to see red flags. They attempted to resolve it discreetly, but it wasn't for lack of trying: numerous meetings, some conversations, and even what Featherstone says was a promise to change the name, none of it seemed to stick. Grand Hustle Films continued to press on, filing new trademark applications with subtle adjustments, such as "Battle of the Situationships" and "City of Situationships." The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office wouldn't hear of it, however, and rejected at least one of those attempts because it was too close to Featherstone's protected name.
Featherstone took his case to court after being ignored following a cease-and-desist letter. The judge thought Featherstone's case was firm and extreme. The court found that T.I.'s continued use of the name would create the inference of confusion and do actual damage to the true originators. An injunction was issued, blocking Grand Hustle Films from creating, promoting, or distributing anything containing the word "Situationships" or anything too similar to it. Additionally, the team must remove any references to the name from existing promotional materials, websites, and documents related to the project.
As for T.I., he pumped the brakes on the drama but maintains that the title was never official and hasn't been in use for months. Yet the effect of the ruling is plain: whatever tale Grand Hustle was preparing to tell under the "Situationships" name is officially nameless now, for now, anyway.
The case is not yet entirely settled. As it is, the movie formerly known as Situationships is going to need a major rebrand before it ever sees the light of day. In Hollywood, names matter, and in this war of titles, it's Featherstone Entertainment that emerged victorious, serving as a timely reminder that in love, law, and entertainment, it's all about the property.
0 Comments