Diddy Slapped with $10 Million Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

Last year Sean 'Diddy' Combs was accused of stealing the beat and concept for the single 'Act Bad' ft. Yung Miami [click here if you missed that]. 

Now Diddy is being sued by an inmate in New York claiming he owns the copyright to the phrase 'Act Bad...' 

From All Hip Hop

Charles Kenyatta Jr., an inmate at Collins Correctional Facility in New York, claims his “Act Bad” trademark was infringed upon by Diddy. Kenyatta said he never permitted Diddy’s use of “Act Bad” for merchandise tied to the mogul’s 2023 single of the same name. Diddy’s lawyer allegedly ignored emails from Kenyatta’s lawyer after mentioning an agreement regarding the “Act Bad” trademark.

“Sean Combs made a song called ‘ACT BAD’ and wanted to [sell] Act Bad merchandise, a percentage of the net profits for recorded song and music video, also a percentage of merchandise T-shirts, hats, etc.” Kenyatta explained. “Charles Kenyatta Jr did not sign [the] contract because he was incarcerated, and any contract should be [forwarded] to his Power of Attorney to sign on his behalf. Secondly, it was another person’s name on the contract that had to be removed. The percentage was not of Plaintiff’s liking, there was no upfront or advance monetary and it was a bunch of miscellaneous things plaintiff wanted to remove off contract.”

He continued, “The defendant Sean Combs and John Doe had a scheme to illegally squeeze out Plaintiff Charles Kenyatta Jr. from the contract. Plaintiff’s lawyer told Defendant Sean Comb’s lawyer John Doe has no ownership of Act Bad and should not be on the contract. A few weeks after that the defendant Sean Combs and John Doe were seen on stage performing the song ‘Act Bad’ together. After defendant Sean Combs and John Doe signed contract without Charles Kenyatta Jr.’s consent, the defendant Sean Combs use of trademark caused confusion as to the affiliation, connection.”

Kenyatta, who’s representing himself in the lawsuit, said his “Act Bad” trademark was tarnished by Diddy’s sexual assault allegations. The plaintiff sought $10 million in damages.