Crips Issue Apology to Nipsey Hussle’s Family, Promise No Trademark Battle
Written by SOURCE on July 3, 2019
Since Nipsey Hussle‘s passing his family has been overwhelmed with several legal battles. Now their burdens have gotten a little lighter as their case against the official Crips organization has been resolved.
According to The Blast, an official for the Crips LLC released a statement claiming that the organization that was formed on behalf of the Crips street gang will not move forward with trademarking Hussle’s “The Marathon Continues” slogan. They also issued an apology to Hussle’s family while offering to relinquish all rights to Nipsey’s intellectual property.
“There will absolutely be no trademark legal battle between their organization and Blacc Sam, brother of the late Nipsey Hussle,” the organization told The Blast. “[The Crips] respectively vows to support the wishes of Lauren London and the Asghedom family… We realize that our actions may have been offensive and we have reached out to his family, respectively Nip’s sister, Samantha Smith.”
The organization’s corporate communications director, William King Hollis, went on to explain that at the time of Hussle’s death the rapper and the Crips LLC were working on a “mutual collaboration” that required the slogan. This was why they filed a trademark on the phrase, not to undercut the family during their time of grief.
“We are deeply sorry for any disruptions and melee that the trademark acquisition may have caused to his family, friends and fans,” Hollis said.
As reported, Hussle’s brother Blacc Sam filed an application to trademark the phrase in May. Less than two weeks prior, the Crips LLC made their request to trademark “The Marathon Continues.” According to the organization, they wanted to use the slogan to promote “gang intervention” programs and community activism. Although neither application mentioned the other, Blacc Sam and the Crips were destined for a legal standoff to see who has rights to the phrase. Fortunately, this was averted by the organization conceding to the family’s wishes.
