Kanye West sues in NY to stop ‘Coinya West’ bitcoins from cashing in on his success

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Kanye West has filed a New York lawsuit to stop production of “Coinye West” bitcoins that he says unjustly cash in on his fame.

The rapper’s lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Manhattan federal court. It seeks to stop companies and individuals that have not yet been identified from exchanging the digital currency. It also seeks unspecified damages for hurting West’s reputation.

The lawsuit says the creators of the digital coins “brazenly admit” that they used West’s name and likeness to associate their new currency with West because he is a trendsetter.

The lawsuit says entrepreneurs boasted that the currency can’t be stopped whether it “looks like a dollar, a dog or a cartoon picture of a rapper.” The virtual currency’s creators are using a cartoon image of a coin featuring the rapper in large sunglasses.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.