By Jaia Thomas
It may have been months since Frank Ocean navigated his way through a recording studio but, in the meantime, he is slowly learning the ins and outs of the Los Angeles County Courthouse. Over the past several weeks, Ocean’s career has been fraught with countless legal claims and controversies. Here is an overview of some of those legal claims and controversies:
Chipotle Mexican Grill: Last week while you were reading Chipotle’s menu (although we should all probably know it by heart by now), Frank Ocean was reading a detailed lawsuit filed the Mexican Grill. Chipotle filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against Ocean on the grounds of breach of contract. According to the suit, Chipotle had agreed to pay Ocean $425,000 for composing a song for their advertisement campaign. Chipotle reportedly paid Ocean $212,500 in advance. But, once Ocean viewed a final cut of the animated commercial he raised concerns about the company’s logo being featured at the end and backed out. Ocean apparently believed he had final approval of the end product. Chipotle is suing to recoup their initial $212,500 advance as well as damages.
Frank Ocean v. Christopher Breaux: We may know him as Frank Ocean but his birth name is Christopher Edwin Breaux. Ocean recently filed the documents necessary to legally change his name from Christopher Breaux to Frank Ocean. The name changing process varies from state to state but it ordinarily consists of filing a Petition to Change Name followed by a Name Change Hearing, where an applicant will have to specify the reasons for wanting to change his or her name to a judge. In California, The Name Change Petition filing fee is only $60, a minuscule fraction of Oceans’ multimillion dollar worth. Ocean has already completed the necessary requirements so expect the legal name change to take effect soon.
Tuf America v. Universal Music: Tuf America, a New York based label, has filed suit over Frank Ocean’s “Super Rich Kids.” Tuf America owns the rights to thousands of copyrights, compositions and musical recordings, including The Honeydrippers’ “Impeach the President.” According to the suit, “Impeach the President” wound upon Audio Twos’ “Top Billin” which was sampled by Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love” that was eventually included in Frank Ocean’s “Super Rich Kids.” After a series of agreements and arrangements Tuf America now owns 3.15% of the Mary J. Blige song and is suing on the grounds of copyright infringement. Tuff America, notorious for their copyright infringement lawsuits, claims Frank Ocean and Universal never properly cleared the licenses to use the sampled work.
Such Grammy-nominated songs as “Thinkin Bout You” may soon move from Channel Orange to Channel CNN. Several developments are underway.
Photo credit: Instagram/FrankOcean
Jaia Thomas is a Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment attorney. For more information: www.jathomaslaw.com or @jaiathomaslaw.