Legal Clash Over Name and Brand

Daddy Yankee is locked in a heated courtroom struggle in Puerto Rico, the place his ex-wife Mireddys González is attempting to say possession of his stage identify and a bit of his multimillion-dollar empire. The reggaetón star, born Ramón L. Ayala Rodríguez, is pushing again in opposition to González’s demand that the court docket deal with the “Daddy Yankee” identify and associated logos as marital property.

González, who served as CEO of El Cartel Records throughout their almost 30-year marriage, argues that her position entitles her to partial possession of the model. She has threatened authorized motion if Yankee continues utilizing the identify, together with “DY,” “El Cartel” and “Legendaddy,” with out her approval.

Accusations of Financial Misconduct

The dispute escalated after their February 18 divorce, when Daddy Yankee accused González and her sister Ayeicha González Castellanos of improperly transferring greater than $100 million from two of his firms. According to court docket filings, the alleged transfers embrace $80 million from El Cartel Records and $20 million from Los Cangris Inc.

González’s authorized staff denies any wrongdoing. They argue the funds had been a part of shared marital belongings and declare she had full authority to entry them as a co-owner and govt.

Identity and Ownership at Stake

Yankee’s attorneys say González is trying to “hijack” his id and legacy. They argue he has used the “Daddy Yankee” identify in commerce for over 30 years and that González by no means had particular person rights to the trademark. His authorized staff is asking the court docket for a everlasting injunction to forestall her from asserting possession over his skilled identify or interfering together with his enterprise operations.

The case has additionally created stress inside the household, together with strained relationships with at the very least one in all their youngsters.

Trademark Law and Divorce

At the middle of the authorized battle is whether or not Puerto Rican regulation permits mental property like logos to be divided in a divorce. Yankee’s attorneys argue it doesn’t—except the rights had been particularly assigned, which they are saying by no means occurred. They additionally level out that whereas El Cartel Records managed the logos in the course of the marriage, the model was created and monetized by Yankee lengthy earlier than González turned concerned.

González is asking the court docket for joint management of the model and a share of future income tied to the identify.

Impact on Career and Public Image

As the authorized struggle unfolds, Daddy Yankee is getting ready for upcoming appearances, together with the Billboard Latin music Awards. His authorized staff says the dispute might harm his popularity and create confusion within the leisure business. Court paperwork reveal each events agreed to not transfer belongings over $100,000 with out written consent whereas litigation continues.

The subsequent court docket listening to is anticipated later this yr.

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