Jelly Roll, the rapper-turned-country singer whose real name is Jason Bradley DeFord, is facing a lawsuit over his stage name.
The lawsuit has been filed by a wedding band named Jellyroll, based in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, in Delaware County.
The band claims to have been using the moniker for decades and alleges that their brand has been negatively affected by the rising fame of the “Save Me” singer.
According toCreports, Jellyroll the band asserts that they enjoyed significant notoriety long before Jelly Roll adopted and used the name, even before he was born in 1984. The band emphasizes their longevity, having emerged sometime around 1980.
Described as the “best wedding band in Philadelphia” on their website, Jellyroll features a large ensemble of musicians including a horn section, string section, keyboards, percussionists, and vocalists. They claim notable performances, including playing twice for President George W. Bush at the White House.
The civil lawsuit was filed in federal court in Philadelphia, citing trademark violation, harm to their brand, and unfair competition.
The band alleges that Jelly Roll’s increasing popularity has adversely affected their online presence, making it difficult for them to appear in search results.
Jellyroll the band also expressed concerns about potential confusion and issues in their hometown of Philadelphia, where Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken Tour is scheduled to stop on October 2, 2024. They argue that the similar names could cause actual confusion, particularly in the northeastern United States.
Importantly, Jellyroll the band holds a trademark for their name, which was registered in August 2010 and renewed in December 2019, ensuring its active status until at least 2029.
The lawsuit was filed by Kurt Titchenell, the band’s longtime leader and trademark holder.
