Suckafree Records is suing Lil Flip’s beverage company for alleged misuse of album art, escalating a legal battle between the rapper and his former record label.
Exotic Pop is accused of using the Leprechaun artwork without permission on its products. Suckafree Records claims ownership of the album’s production, music, lyrics, and artwork in the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.
The lawsuit claims that Exotic Pop created merchandise with the album cover’s likeness and distributed songs from Leprechaun through third parties. Suckafree Records also alleges that Lil Flip and Exotic Pop have been selling their products online, including bottled drinks, cereals, and other items. Suckafree’s CEO, Duane “Hump” Hobbs, filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Exotic Pop OG, Lil Flip’s soda brand.
Suckafree Records suspects that Exotic Pop may be using its copyrighted material internationally. One of the key claims is that Exotic Pop’s products contain QR codes that lead consumers to buy songs from the Leprechaun album on third-party websites. Suckafree Records estimates damages of $2 million from these alleged violations. Lil Flip discussed the accusations in an interview with Houston rap legend Willie D of The Geto Boys before the lawsuit was officially filed.
