Lawsuit Breaks Out Between Teddy Riley, Former Members Of Blackstreet

(via AllHipHop)

Veteran hip-hop/R&B producer Teddy Riley has filed a lawsuit against former members of Blackstreet, accusing the estranged members of illegally using the group’s name.

Teddy Riley and group member Chauncey Hannibal filed the lawsuit against former group members Mark Middleton and Eric Williams on December 1, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia.

According to the lawsuit, Teddy Riley is half of the owner of the Blackstreet trademark, while long time associate Chauncey Hannibal owns the other half. The pair have held the rights to the name since 1992, prior to the release of any Blackstreet albums.

The lawsuit claims that from 2003 until present, Mark Middleton and Eric Williams have booked themselves as Blackstreet for performances, without the proper permission or consent. Lawyers for Teddy Riley and Chauncey Hannibal claim that the two men have ignored several cease and desist letters, but still continue to book shows as Blackstreet.

The lawsuit claims that as recently as November of 2011 the pair have claimed that they were Blackstreet.