Former drug kingpin RICKY ROSS is set to summon JAY-Z to testify in court as part of his copyright showdown with hip-hop star Rick Ross.
The rapper, born William Leonard Roberts II, has been accused of adopting his stage name from the former cocaine trafficker, who became infamous for running a drug empire in Los Angeles in the 1980s.
Ross warned Roberts he would face a court battle if he did not change his moniker before the release of his upcoming album, and the ex-convict has kept his word - Ross' legal team filed a trademark infringement lawsuit on Friday (18Jun10) in the California U.S. District Court.
According to AllHipHop.com, Ross will ask rap legend Jay-Z to testify in the case as the 99 Problems hitmaker was the boss of Def Jam records when Roberts was signed to the label in 2006.
The lawsuit also throws the release of Roberts' upcoming album Teflon Don into doubt as Ross is requesting a temporary restraining order and permanent injunction to block the release of the new record.