Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page Sues Jay-Z Over Pyramid Sign

[SoulManX]

The trademark infringement lawsuit being brought against rap star
Jay-Z by former wrestling star Diamond Dallas Page now is also
targeting Jay-Z's clothing line, Roc-A-Wear. DDP claims that he owns
the rights to the Diamond Cutter hand gesture that Jay-Z has been
doing lately and has now put on certain items in his clothing line.
The lawsuit is expected to remain in the discovery period until
April 2007.

DDP's people sent out the following statement yesterday.

Federal Judge Grants Motion to Add Roc-A-Wear to Pro Wrestling
Champion, Diamond Dallas Page's Lawsuit Against Rap Mogul Jay-Z

(LA, California) A federal judge granted a motion to add Roc-A-Wear
owners Roc Apparel Group LLC, Urban Menswear LLC and Roc-A-Wear
Licensing LLC to a trademark and copyright infringement suit filed
by Professional Wrestler Diamond Dallas Page. The suit, originally
filed December 2, 2005, claims the hip-hop heavyweight has illegally
adopted Page's trademark hand gesture—the "Diamond Cutter"—as his
own.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Federal Court, accuses Jay-Z and
Roc-A-Fella Records of trademark and copyright infringement as well
as misappropriation of the hand symbol. Page is seeking an
injunction (meaning Jay-Z would be prohibited from using the
gesture) and unspecified monetary damages.

Earlier this year, Diamond Dallas Page discovered that Jay Z's
clothing line, Roc-A-Wear manufactured and sold merchandise
displaying the diamond cutter symbol, which prompted the request
that the clothing line be included in the lawsuit. Page started
using the hand sign to promote his persona on television while
working for World Championship Wrestling in 1996. As his popularity
increased, so did the recognition of the sign as his trademark, by
fans, athletes and celebrities.

As Page has moved on from wrestling to other entertainment and
business ventures, he has continued to us the sign as a brand-
building logo. Currently, his "Yoga For Regular Guys" DVD series and
book, and his soon to be released "Own Your Life" motivational audio
book features the symbol. The well-loved wrestler also says he used
the symbol on monthly PPV events, WCW live events, and media
appearances, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Page goes on to assert that as his success as a wrestler grew, so
did sales of his merchandise, including t-shirts, hats, stationary,
posters and action figures, which featured the Diamond Cutter
Trademark. The infringement claim also states that, "[m]any athletes
and celebrities also flashed the Diamond Cutter sports celebration
move. "In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA finals against the Chicago Bulls,
Karl Malone, the Utah Jazz star basketball player, flashed the
Diamond Cutter Trademark during the game and referred to the symbol
as Plaintiff's hand sign. Similarly, former professional football
player and Dallas Cowboy star running back, Herschel Walker used the
Diamond Cutter Trademark after a 64 yard touchdown run and also
acknowledged that it was Plaintiff's signature trademark."

Page is currently shooting the movie Gallow Walker in South Africa
with Wesley Snipes and is not available for comment

 

[Halcohol]

Hmm... my initials are DDP, maybe I should sue Page. Man, the Diamond Cutter was awesome. Ahhh, WCW.

 

[Warhammer]

This was more crazy than Triple H suing The Game for the use of his alias.

Damn, DDP was one of my favorite/best WCW wrestlers.
I am glad he's doing a movie.

 

[SoulManX]

 

[Fran]

I remember the good ole' days of WCW vs. WWF.

 

[Warhammer]

I remember the good ole' days of WCW vs. WWF.

Back when the writing was actually good.

 

[Mr Sparkle]

God:

please smite the entire Wrestling community, while you're at it, release your holy plagues upon the East/West side rapping crews.

your Loving Servant.
P.S. I know I asked you to do something about Owen Hart, but c'mon.

that was harsh.

 

[Warhammer]

^That was a low blow......

 

[Mr Sparkle]

I know, sometimes God hits below the belt.

 

[jaguarr]

Does DDP's hair still look like that? 'Cuz...if so....yeah....gotta get him to Supercuts.

jag

 

[Warhammer]

Does DDP's hair still look like that? 'Cuz...if so....yeah....gotta get him to Supercuts.

jag

lmao.

...but no, he cut that s*** cut a while back.
During his last few years of wrestling, he got it cut short.

 

[Strange]

How can a hand gesture be a trademark? I mean what's next, is Fonzie going to sue everyone who gives the thumbs up ?

 

[Mr Sparkle]

How can a hand gesture be a trademark? I mean what's next, is Fonzie going to sue everyone who gives the thumbs up ?

you can't use "eyyyyy" and then give a thumbs up.
it's copyright infringement.

 

[enterthemadness]

This lawsuit makes about as much sense as Paris 'Easy' Hilton trademarking the phase that's hot.