Vokal sue Nelly
Published April 30, 2004
This from CMU:
Two members of an American group called Vokal are suing rapper Nelly over his use of their name for his clothing label.
James Tyrone Wilson and Cameron Caines claim they have been making music, performing live, and distributing clothing under the name Vokal since 1994. In 1998 they signed a recording and distribution contract with Universal Records, around the same time the major signed Nelly. It was shortly after that time that Nelly started selling clothing also bearing the name 'Vokal'.
To that end Wilson and Caines are suing the rapper for trademark infringement and unfair competition. Their lawyer, Michael Santucci, told reporters this week: "Nelly's people should have known about Wilson and Caines' use of the name since they were on the same label together".
As for the damages seeked, Santucci said: "Right now, since we don't have an accounting of the profits. We can't completely quantify the damages," but added his clients would be seeking millions in compensation.
- Vokal sue Nelly
- Published: April 30, 2004
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- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: News
- Writer: Marty Dodge
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Comments
this is some messed up nelly aint stealing no1's name they jsut mad cuz the will never make the name amount of money nelly has n they jus wanna get rich!!!!!!!!!!!
umm.. it's called trademark infringement... grow up.
I think this is shit, they shuldn't hate that nelly is better at everythind than them! They need 2 get a life and stop hatin'.
If the two guys came up with the idea first, then they should sue and have rights to the name. Simple as that.
Grow up you preteen Nelly fans.
THANK U SCOOTA REY, THESE GOTTA BE BE SOME 12-16 YR OLD KIDS WHO DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO CONTROL A WET DREAM YET.HELL THEY CAN HARDLY SPELL.GROW UP KIDS, HE STOLE THIER NAME.U DON'T BELIEVE ME? GO TO THIER WEBSITE AND CHECK THEM OUT.CHECK OUT THE YEARS AND SOME OF THE PICTURES WITH HATS AND THE BADGES
1st off u guys suck! its just official. w/e the guy said b4 me is fuckin retarded. so what if im 16, it doesnt solve the fact that these people are just after his money. its obvious, everybody knows it. im a true nelly fan at heart n 4 this "so-called group" to say that they started tha whole vokal thing. i mean, what kinda stupid shit is that??? so maybe its name had been said b4, but he brought it out. I did happen to go to that website tho n it was all bullshit. the dates were all fucked up to begin with. n if you call urself a group, then u wouldve been recognized n brought out the line urself. otherwise shut the fuck up n leave this shit alone. ur music sucked n theres no way u woulda became famous. u didnt even have a hit song or n/ething. u guys had about one song every year or 2, so that aint even qualified enough as a group. so y do u have a shirt that says "the vokal group". whats wrong with u. i cant believe that the group would do this its retarded. they aint gettin no fuckin money from nelly. his line is a hit, n he was the one that started it, so get over it, u guys suck... im tha biggest nelly fan ever, so if yoany of u need information on nelly n vokal, hit up my cell [edited] n i'll give ya all the real facts about whats goin on with my man. but if ur a dumbass n think that these people are right, then i really dont wanna talk to ya. i can bitch u out just as easily tho so bring it on bitch...
now that ive got it off my chest, have a nice day.
much love, thanx
~*~*<3 Brittney
POOR KID, it's fine that you are a fan of Nellz,good for you, but you reaaaaallllly sound like you need to get out of the 8th grade sucessfully. Now your opinion on what thier music sounds like or what it is is not a concern of nobodies but yours i'm sure,but the fact still remains dumb-dumb, those cats was international with that name first,no matter to what capacity. You sound like a little bitch that wants to give Nellz the pussy and you will say what you need to get that crackin' but uh, wake up shawty this is reality you won't get there as well as the law says TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT no matter what the niggas music sound like. So go clean off your little cutchie and go to bed before your mother beats your little ass, better yet, go read a rel book or something so you can make it out of the 8th grade
further more to "BRIT THE BULLSHIT", i feel had those cats been out first and no NELLY you would be on thierside so the bottom line is here, you are a stupid childish,narrow minded, imature, wasting your time, thoughts and common senses on a celeb that you will neeeeeever get groupie. LIKE I SAID LIL BITCH, "LET YO MOMZ CHANGE YO DIAPER SO YOU CAN GET TO BED". HOLLA BACK
i think nelly iz the best hez got so many mazin talents and he haz the right to use the name vokal coz i aint even heard of that band the only reason they are tryna sue nelly iz 2 try and get rich well.. nely will be richer than than u will eva be!!!
i think nelly iz the best hez got so many Amazin talents and he haz the right to use the name vokal coz i aint even heard of that band the only reason they are tryna sue nelly iz 2 try and get rich well.. nelLy will be richer than than u will eva be!!!
i dont care about who won, i just hope vokal can resume therr production, damn it been so hard to locate these babys now. if anyone knows where to get them please notify~
i mean vokal clothing, aint no tha monkey ass group
WELL KEEP WAITING DOC YOU SOUND LIKE YOU NEED A "DICK DRILL"
OOPS!!!!!
no offense VIBE, but do u even know what "i need a tipdrill" is? go watch tha hot shit mane and educate yoself before runnin' around yappin yo mouth
NONE TAKEN! I DON'T GIVE A FUK WHAT A TIP DRILL IS, IT WON' HELP IN MY KNOWING THAT YOU ARE AN IGNORAMOUS. BOY YA'LL FOOLS GET OFFENDED QUICK HERE HUH?
sounds like u are tha one who's pissed. READ MY FUCKING QUESTION, did i ever say nelly is off tha hook from this trademark infringement? no, instead of answering my question u make fun of my screenname; vibe, u sound educated, but why didnt you read tha fucking question tha i ask? cant say none nice just keep it shut aight? we all know you aint mute
i think im ma ask this question again:
DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE TO GET VOKAL CLOTHING?
OOH I'M SORRY DRILL BIT DIDN'T MEAN TO MAKE YOU GET OUT OF CONTROL, SORRY MAN =-) BUT I WOULD THINK AS "SMART" AS YOU ARE, YOU WOULD KNOW YO GO TO E-BAY, AMAZON ETC.TO FIND SOME OF THAT GEAR HELL YOU STAY ONLINE AS MUCH AS MY ASS DOES. HOLLA ATCHA BOY!
OH BY THE WAY DRILLY-MANILLY, THAT TIP DRILL BIT IS SOMETHING I HEARD IN YA BOY NELLZ JOINTZ, DO U LUV HIM THAT MUCH? IF SO ITS ALL GOOD BABY BOY HE MAY HOOK YOU UP ONE DAY.....SYKE, DON'T THINK SO. GET A LIFE PIMPIN'!
man we need more people like you VIBE, u just made our life go a lot easier, your "friendly comments" are the ONLY REASON i go online otherwise i wouldnt giv a fuck on retaliation. why i dig nelly? cuz rap shit is all fake now and instead of arguing whos got more credibility i found tha nelly has VIBE to attract me from listening to it. and since u might be a fan of VOKAL MUSIC GROUP, u might know more bout this whole trademark infringement shit; HOW COME THEY NEVER REGISTERED? no personal attack this time tha shit is wack
p.s.
or have they registered? got any info or updates on this?
as a matter of fact i did check the united states trademark office site and typed the name vokal in and they had the name since 1993.yes they definately are a registered entitiy. hey man my apologies, on the real. you can check their site out to , came to find out they had a release on another lable in 94 as well as thier 98 release with Universal. holla back
wow i think nelly is really fucked up this time, tha might explain why he direct all of his energy to apple bottom now; therrs no doubt the name "vokal" has gotton famous under nelly's advertising, but a proper punishment is required if he did tha crime
Yeah, I think so too.Granted Nellz is definately the bigger star, most requested, more awards or whatnot,but right is Right (NYAHMEAN)? I might add those cats have talent as well,and in spite of who likes who more or who is the most famous or has the most money, i feel like since them cats was kickin VOKAL on tees and caps and rappers spittin they name in they songs, certain mags,and billboard charting, I feel they should get justice out of it
hey vibe do u know tha status of this trial? i been surfin all over tha web and tha only thing i get is their initiation of a charge, whas goin on now do u know? it feels like this trial is magically disappeared
Yo, i aint heard nothing either, shit I didn't know there was gonna be a trial. But I do feel IT WILL COME BACK UP, just judging from the stuff I have ran into, like here at this website they got thier clothes back on the market called VOKAL http://taiwerkz.tripod.com/. And I see on thier site where they have a new single getting ready to drop as well as an album. Hell who knows. Better yet, only God knows. Yo , holla atcha boy.PEACE
when will vokal find out if they won their case or not. this thing has been going on for such along time.holla back
THEY WILL KNOW WHEN gOD SAYS THE TIME IS RIGHT. YA FEEL ME? HOLLA BACK
true, so true i wish vokal all the best...love their new website.
sup guys long time no see, hey i think this shit is very weird: i was surfing the web one day and the vokal lawsuit kicked in so i was like i ma do a little reserch and i found this:
the date of the article is november 5th, 2004; the lawsuit starting in the beginning of 04, wha tha fuck really happened? why yumi martin's still using tha name vokal when therr's this infringement shit going? i am so confused...
I disagree with all the negative comments on the group Vokal. One of the members is my cousins boyfriend. I lived with them in 2000-2001, and I got to experience the life of these people. I've even did work with these guys and they have lots of talent. I don't have anything against Nelly but if infringement is what he commited, he deserves his punishment.
THATS RIGHT TEE :-)
I've know the head member of Vokal most of my life. He's very talented and gifted. I'm sure that God will resolve this suit and Vokal will get what is due them. Be still and see the Salvation of our God! There is no need to bash one another. God is in control.
Hang in there Tai.
A Life-Long fan
BT
Hi Nelly don't worry about what people say about u just believe in your self and trust in god and u will make it I will pray for u I love your work and I also love your video Dilemma with Kelly Rowland Love always.
Hi Nelly r u in love with Kelly Rowland she is the best girl for u not Ashanti
HI Nelly r u going to marry Kelly Rowland she is the perfect one for u hope to see u
One of my biggest wish is to see u i want to become a singer can u help me with that please I'm living in Guyana
Hi Nelly I love ur video grillz are u still dating Ashanti if so u aren't making the right choice .
HUH??? THOUGHT U WANTED KELLY FOR THE MAN. U GOT IT BAD!!!!!!!
VOKALŪ THE GROUP YA'LL!!!!
I have known these guys for years and not to take anything from Nelly but what I do know for sure is that these guys back every entertainer and give them their props when due. They are legit in what they are saying. It's just about being fair and a good sport. I have known their name to be as such from the beginning (before Nelly) Nelly is great as well but let's be fair and do the right thing and not be greedy. Let's close this matter so the entainers can continue their business. I am speaking of both sides.
Much Love......
HEY TOLONDO!! U ARE STRONG IN YOUR WORDS!!! HAVE YOU BEEN TO THIER MYSPACE PAGE?? THEY HAVE A TRIBUTE SONG TO GERAL LEVERT ON THIER SITE THATS CRAAZY...PEEP IT.
VOKALŪ has 2425 friends ON MYSPACE NOW!!! SEE THEY ARE GETTING LOVED TO.PRAY THAT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM SEES IT THAT WAY
ha i just think this is all so stupied nelly is a nice kind guy their just mad because they don;t got the money he has so they just need to back off yeah i'm 13 but i love nelly and i think ist's great that nelly and ashhanti are going out.Vokal just needs to shut the f..k up with all that bulls..t.this is wrong and boys don't be mad that the grils like nelly more than you lol so go suck some d..k.
ha nelly yeah follow your dreams.Don't listen to what they say but some people are right that you are cute and vokal sould just leave you alone. I think it is great that you are going out with ashanti some grils are just mad about that bUT not me you and ashanti are great together.keep up the good work.you and ashanti should make up song together.also i love all of your songs and i will always BE YOUR NUMBER 1# FAN HOLLA. ALWAYS I DONT CARE IF THEY SAY YOUR UGLY BUT I THNIK THAT YOUR SO CUTE. STAY WITH ASHANTI YOU GUYS LOOK GREAT TO TOGETHER. TELL ASHANTI THAT I'M HER NUMBER 1# FAN TOO. HOLLA
LOVE,TANI
OH YEAH AND VIBE YOU ARE THE DUMEST GIRL I HAD EVER MET BICTH SOULDS LIKE YOU NEED A MAN LOL GO GET ONE. HOLLA BACK AT ME.
tani tani tani...tsk tsk tsk.... U ARE STUPID!!!! WHATEVER DID U MISS ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS GUY STOLE THESE FELLOWS NAME FROM THEM??? EVERYONE ELSE THAT STARTED OUT WITH THE SAME FOOLISH COMMENTS YOU ARE MAKING LEFT THE SHIT ALONE CAUSE THEY DID THIER RESEARCH...NOW, U DO YOURS. I AM A VERY WEALTHY MAN..THATS WHY I AM ABLE TO SIT HERE ON THE COMPUTER AND COMMENT ON IGNORAMOUS COMMENTS SUCH AS YOURS. WHO NELLY IS WITH SHOULDNT EVEN BE YOUR CONCERN.DO YOU GIVE GOD THAT AMOUNT OF PRAISE OR HIS SON JESUS...I DOUBT IT. PEOPLE...WE NEED TO QUIT PRAISING MAN!!! MAN DESTROYED A LOT OF THINGS FOR US. HE TRIED TO KILL JESUS,, NOW YOU KNOW IF SOMEONE WOULD STOOP THAT LOW TO KILL SOMEONE AS WONDERFUL AS JESUS CHRIST..IMAGINE WHAT HE (MAN) WILL DO TO YOU. FAITH IN MAN...THATS A PROBLEM LITTLE GIRL. I HAVE FAITH IN GOD THAT THESE GUYS WILL HAVE VICTORY AND IT WILL SHOW WORLDWIDE. PEACE
AMEN VIBE!!!!I CLAIM RIGHT NOW IN THE NAME OF JESUS, THE GROUP VOKAL WILL HAVE VICTORY OVER THIS SITUATION AND BY THAT I CLAIM IT WILL PUT THEM IN THE PLACE THEY NEED TO BE IN ORDER FOR THIER WORKS TO BE VISIBLE TO THE WORLD!!!!! IN SPITE OF WHO IS FAMOUS OR HAS THE MOST MONEY OR WHO IS THE CUTEST TO THE LITTLE GIRL,JESUS WILL GIVE THOSE BROTHERS VICTORY!!! THIS I PRAY IN THE NAME OF THE BLESSED TRINITY AMEN

Marty's band, Growing Old Disgracefully, can be found at: 

THIS IS FUCKIN DUMB. I'VE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THIS GROUP. THEY'RE JUST MAD BECAUSE NELLY HAS MORE TALENT AND MAKES MORE MONEY THAN THEY EVER WILL. THEY SHOULD BE SHOT FOR BRINGING UP STUPID SHIT LIKE THIS. THE GROUP "VOKAL" CAN JUST GO SUCK DICK AND GET OVER THEIR LAME ASS SHIT.