Madlib Sued by Artist Over Unauthorized Use of Animated Alter Ego “Lord Quas”
Renowned hip-hop artist and producer Madlib is facing legal action over the unauthorized use of the animated character "Lord Quas." The lawsuit, filed by artist Keith Griego, alleges that Lord Quas was created specifically for the cover of Madlib's 1999 single "Microphone Mathematics." Griego claims that Madlib has since used the character on various album covers, music videos, and merchandise without his permission even though he holds the exclusive rights to the character's use.
The lawsuit, filed on April 19, accuses Madlib of copyright infringement and seeks compensation for the unauthorized use of Lord Quas. Griego claims that Madlib and his associates knowingly used the character without providing him with proper “credit or compensation.” Additionally, the suit alleges that Madlib filed for a trademark for Lord Quas despite lacking the rights to do so.
Madlib, known for his collaborations with artists like MF Doom and Freddie Gibbs, has prominently featured Lord Quas in his work over the past two decades. Despite the character's origins on the cover of "Microphone Mathematics," Lord Quas has become a recognizable figure in Madlib's artistic repertoire, appearing on numerous album covers and promotional materials.
As reported by KTLA, legal filings contend that the unauthorized utilization of the character amounts to "intentional copyright infringement" and Griego has requested an injunction.
An injunction is a legal remedy sought by a plaintiff to restrain or prevent a defendant from engaging in certain conduct, in this case, the continued misuse of Griego's copyrighted character. If granted, the injunction would legally compel Madlib and others to cease using Lord Quas without authorization, providing Griego with protection against further infringement of his copyright.
