Snoop Dogg recently filed a lawsuit against Gary Barbera Enterprises for allegedly using his picture and trademark slang in a newspaper ad without permission.
Barbera, who was just recently sued by 50 Cent for also using his picture without consent, is now being taken to court by the Doggfather. Snoop is seeking $2 million, $1 million more than 50's suit.
Barbera's auto dealership, based out of Roxbourough - a small town in Philadelipia, PA - ran ads in the Philadelphia Daily News on August 22nd (only three days after 50 filed his lawsuit against the company). The ad featured an image of the West Coast emcee with Lee Iacocca, Chrylser's ex- chairman. It also contained the tagline "Is Bar-Bizzle the Sh-izzle? Boy I Gu-izzle."
Snoop and Iacocca both appear in a TV commercial for Chrysler, but according to Snoops's lawsuit Barbera never received permission to use his name or photo. Snoop's lawsuit also accuses Barbera of trademark infringement, unfair competition, and unauthorized use of likeness and trademark dilution.
Eric Gerstein, Barbera's marketing director has this to say about the lawsuit compared to the 50 incident, "[it's] the same lyrics, different beat. We've already been in contact with Snoop's people, and we're working it out." He also said that Chrysler TV spot was forwarded to them directly by Chrysler and he was just following the corporate line.
Snoop's lawyer declined to comment.
