April 16, 2010 9:33 AM

Jay-Z v. David Ortiz: "Big Pimpin" Sues "Big Papi" for $5 Million Over Nightclub Name

By
Edecio Martinez
Topics
Daily Blotter

Jay-Z and David Ortiz (AP Photo, file)

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) It's "Big Pimpin" versus "Big Papi."

Rap superstar Jay-Z is suing Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz for naming his Dominican nightclub after his chain of "40/40" clubs.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Manhattan Federal Court, accuses Ortiz of naming his Santo Domingo club Forty-Forty in the hopes of trading in on the rapper's fame.


The suit seeks over $5 million in damages and for Ortiz to forfeit any use of the 40/40 name.

Jay-Z's string of bars can be found in Manhattan, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

"David Ortiz is fully aware of Plaintiff's Manhattan 40/40 club, since he had been a patron there on several occasions before he opened his Infringing Forty/Forty club," the lawsuit states.

The clubs are named after the feat of hitting 40 homers and stealing 40 bases in one season, something Ortiz hasn't done.


Add a Comment
by Keymaker1 April 17, 2010 11:10 AM EDT
I'm pretty sure all Jay Z wants is for this news to get some attetion so everyone is aware 40/40 in Santo Domingo is not his club. Everyone knows his not going to win but then again his not looking to win. His chain of clubs are known world wide and have A great rep so it's good to let the public know sometimes what's yours and what's not.
Reply to this comment
by Granerto April 17, 2010 12:15 AM EDT
***??? We have "Jet Set", "Studio 45", "Copacabana" ect.. in Dominican Republic and these clubs have almost the same time since they opened as the original clubs with the same name in USA, and no owner has had the stupidity of sueing nobody in Santo Domingo just because... 40/40 is not registered in Dominican Republic, besides it is another market. I know that JZ doesnt need the latin comunity, but, but, but... he may loose all of his Dominicanos charisma. What Ortiz is doing is promoting JZ, because everybody in Dominican Republic would like to go clubbing at the real 40/40 whenever they come to USA. Come on JZ, use your brain.
Reply to this comment
by lilbear925 April 16, 2010 10:24 AM EDT
Seems like there may not be grounds for a lawsuit here, since the slugger's nightclub is not in this country, and the US trademark laws don't necessarily apply in the Dominican Republic.
Reply to this comment
by Granerto April 17, 2010 12:17 AM EDT
Of course.. It is exactly what I said.. and besides, JZ is planning in opening clubs in Europa and another country but he hasnt mentionated Dominican Republic... and come on... for only 5 millions?, ja,ja,ja.. like if he needs that money
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