Calvin Broadus aka Snoop Dogg is faced with a copyright infringement suit brought by Fuzzy Logic Productions.
According to court papers, Fuzzy Logic accused Snoop Dogg, JT the Bigga Figga, and their streaming app TrapFlix for making unauthorized sequels to “Snow and tha Bluff,” which Fuzzy Logic released in June 2012. Based loosely on experience of Curtis Snow, a real resident of the Bluff — Atlanta’s roughest neighborhood — the film portrays a drug dealer’s life.
Fuzzy Logic further claimed that Snoop Dogg violated trademark by using the titles “Snow on tha Bluff 2” and “Snow on tha Bluff 3” when the original title’s spelling allegedly has become a “famous and distinctive” trademark. Fuzzy Logic also accused Snoop Dogg and TrapFlix attempting to register trademark “Snow on tha Bluff” as their own even though the production company’s founder David Russell registered it in 2012 and assigned to Fuzzy Logic.
In the lawsuit, Fuzzy Logic stated that “‘Snow on tha Bluff 2’ utilizes many of the same elements as the original ‘Snow on tha Bluff,’ including the documentary film style, uses of many of the same actors, and shot similar scenes in similar locations.” Additionally, it contended the sequels were distributed as a “TrapFlix exclusive” and JT the Bigga Figga and Snoop Dogg as executive producers.
The suit said that even though Fuzzy Logic requested cease and desist from selling products bearing the trademark, Snoop Dogg and TrapFlix refused. At one point, JT the Bigga Figga acknowledged Russell’s copyright ownership and offered to buy out the trade name. When Russell rejected the offer, JT “became combative and aggressive, and indicated that he “intended to continue his infringing activities.”
Fuzzy Logic is seeking an injunction, delivery of infringing merchandise and advertising as well as disgorgement of profits.