Rihanna is suing her father for using the Fenty brand name
16 January 2019, 11:58
Rihanna alleges that her father is trying to cash in on the Fenty brand name for his entertainment business.
Rihanna – born Robyn Rihanna Fenty – is taking her father Ronald Fenty to court, claiming he falsely connected his firm, Fenty Entertainment, to her. Now we all know Rihanna is about her business. The "Work" singer is an accomplished entrepreneur with a booming makeup range, Fenty Beauty, her own lingerie line, Savage X Fenty, and collection with Puma.
Ronald and his business partner Moses Perkins started Fenty Entertainment in California in 2017, claiming it was "with" Rihanna, despite the fact she was actually not involved. The lawsuit, which was filed in the US, alleges that their conduct has misled the public, violated advertising, competition and privacy laws and risked Rihanna's Fenty brand.
According to the complaint, Fenty Entertainment entered negotiations for Rihanna to perform 15 shows in Latin America for around $15m, without her consent.
Rihanna has asked the court to ban the company from using the Fenty name for business before "serious irreparable injury" is caused. The lawsuit states that Rihanna owns trademarks in the US for the Fenty name and has sent formal "cease and desist" requests.
"Defendants continue to this date to use their misrepresentations for their commercial advantage and to mislead the public," it says. "This fraudulent conduct harms not only plaintiffs but the public at large and requires judicial intervention."
"Although Mr Fenty is Rihanna's father, he does not presently, nor has he ever, had the authority to act on Rihanna's behalf or had the right to use her Fenty mark, to exploit the goodwill of her Fenty brands or to solicit business on her behalf."
Rihanna has always had a strained relationship with her father after her childhood was deeply affected by his crack cocaine and alcohol addictions, which eventually led to her parents' divorce. However, in recent years it appeared their relationship had improved, with Rih Rih taking both of her parents to events with her.
PopBuzz have contacted Fenty Entertainment for comment.
