Kanye West's lawyers take aim at online currency creators
Kanye West's lawyers have taken aim at the creators of Coinye West, a new version of online currency, in a bid to block its launch.
A group of online entrepreneurs were planning to launch the new cryptocurrency in honor of the Stronger hitmaker on Thursday (09Jan14), but the project has drawn the wrath of West's attorneys.
West's team has filed cease-and-desist papers against the seven
creators of Coinye West, claiming trademark infringement on the
currency, which features what appears to be a comedy cartoon
likeness of the star.
According to documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal, West's
lawyers state, "Given Mr. West's wide-ranging entrepreneurial
accomplishments, consumers are likely to mistakenly believe that
Mr. West is the source of your services."
Following the legal threat, the currency creators decided to rename
the online money Coinye, alter the cartoon, and change the domain
before launching the currency on Tuesday (07Jan14) - two days
before it was originally scheduled to go live.