The legendary N.W.A./Ruthless Records founder, Eazy E (real name Eric Wright, Sr.), was the father of nine children when he passed away at age 30 from A.I.D.S.. His first-born child, rapper and “Growing Up Hip Hop” reality TV star, Eric Wright, Jr. a.k.a. Lil Eazy E, was 11 years old at the time of his pops’ passing. Eazy-E was a newlywed…having married his wife, Tomica Woods-Wright twelve days before he died. Fast forward a few decades later…and it’s apparent that Eazy’s widow and his first-born baby weren’t too fond of the decisions either of them were making regarding Eazy’s finances and likeness at that time. However, they eventually agreed to amicably settle their legal dispute.
When Eazy E died, he left Tomica in control of Ruthless Records and the rest of his business affairs, presumably because all of his children were minors at the time. That is also what caused many problems between Tomica and Eric Jr.. It was a long, grueling battle between Eric Jr. and Tomica. It started in 2017, when Tomica hit Eric Jr. with a lawsuit and he countersued her.
Why Widow Sued Lil’ Eazy E.
Tomica sued Eric “Lil Eazy E” Wright Jr. for illegally using the trademarks for his father’s Ruthless Records and N.W.A. brands:
Via The Wrap: According to the suit, Tomica Woods-Wright’s company, Comptown Records, took over ownership of Eazy-E’s label Ruthless Records after the rapper’s death in 1995, and has “continuously used the trade names, trademarks, and service marks RUTHLESS, RUTHLESS RECORDS, and N.W.A. “
However, the suit contends, [in] July [2017] Arnold E. White, an associate of Eazy-E’s son Eric Darnell Wright, formed a corporation in California called Ruthless Records, and both Wright and White filed a trademark application for Ruthless Records Inc., which was subsequently rejected because ” the mark is confusingly similar with the RUTHLESS and RUTHLESS RECORDS marks owned by Ruthless.”
Why Lil Eazy E Countersued Dad’s Widow
Here is why Eric Jr. countersued Tomica soon after her initial lawsuit:
Via TheWrap: Eazy-E’s son calls B.S. on those claims, saying that Comptown gave up the right to those marks through abandonment, and in any case Comptown’s application for the marks was marred by false claims.
“Upon information and belief, Plaintiff made false and material representations with the intent to deceive the United States Trademark Office,” Wright’s counterclaim. … In his answer to the complaint, Wright also accuses Comptown of “fraudulent activity prior to obtaining the registrations” for the marks.
Their Settlement
By August 2018, Lil Eazy E and Tomica settled their legal dispute..but Eric “lil Eazy E’ Wright Jr. ended up with the short end of the stick:
Via The Blast– Eazy-E‘s widow and son have settled their nasty legal battle over the use of the N.W.A. name, with Eazy’s son coming out on the losing end. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, Tomica Woods-Wright and Eric Wright reached a settlement that will end the contentious case.
Per their agreement, Eazy’s son agreed to a permanent injunction prohibiting him from using the names “Straight Outta Compton,” “N.W.A.” and “Ruthless.” The deal states he agrees it will only confuse fans if he continues trying to use the marks.The rapper’s widow is allowing him to use the mark “Rich & Ruthless.”
According to the papers, as part of the settlement, the defendants have been blocked from using Ruthless and Ruthless Records, N.W.A, Comptown, Comptown Records and Straight Outta Compton.
The courts had to respect the decision Eazy E made when he left his wife in control of all his business affairs and trademarks. However, as the son of a legend it’s gotta sting Lil’ Eazy E to know he can’t personally use the name and likeness his own father created.
But for the record, Lil Eazy E says he’s still grateful to Tomica for financially helping he and his family throughout the years, as he grew into adulthood. All’s well that ends well.
