On June 11, 2018, world famous music producer DJ Khaled filed a trademark infringement suit in federal court in the Southern District of New York against Curtis Bordenave and his company, Business Moves Consulting Inc., alleging that they intentionally filed for and misused trademarks for ASAHD, ASAHD Couture, A.S.A.H.D., A Son and His Dad, and We The Best Lifestyle.
Khaled and his fiancé, Nicole Tuck, are parents to 18-month-old Asahd Tuck Khaled, who has become an Internet and social media sensation with 1.8 million Instagram followers and more than 47,000 Twitter followers. The plaintiff argues that the defendants were attempting to exploit the recognition that Khaled has built around his son’s name. According to the complaint, Khaled alleged that defendants are well known for trying to exploit the names of celebrities and their children. Bordenave has already attempted to exploit the name of rapper Cardi B and Stormi Webster, daughter of super star Kylie Jenner. Khaled points out that Bordenave was deliberately trying to reference his son with the trademark ASAHD since Khaled spells his son’s name in a unique way in contrast to the traditional spelling “Assad.”
Khaled accused Bordenave of violating the New York Right of Privacy as well as federal trademark infringement laws, alleging that he legally owns the trademark for his well-known slogan, “We The Best.” The suit also accused the defendant of violating federal unfair competition laws as well as unfair competition laws under New York common law and New York deceptive practices, in addition to a claim for commercial defamation.
The suit is: Khaled et al. v. Bordenave et al., Case No.: 1:18-cv-05187, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
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