The 90's R&B group, once known for their soulful hits and club bangers is now wrapped up in a messy legal feud.
Legendary producer and former member of music group Blackstreet, Teddy Riley, has filed a lawsuit against estranged group members for illegal use of the quartet's name, VIBE magazine reports.
But Riley isn't taking on all his bandmates alone. According to the lawsuit, Teddy Riley, who reportedly owns the Blackstreet trademark, also filed with co-owner and group member Chauncey Hannibal. The pair have held rights to the name since 1992.
In the lawsuit, Riley and Hannibal alleged that Mark Middleton and Eric Williams have booked themselves for performances and used the name without permission since 2003. Middleton and Williams have continued to use the trademark, ignoring cease and desist letters sent by Riley and Hannibal's lawyers.
"Defendants have used the name and mark Blackstreet in such a manner as to create actual confusion and likelihood of confusion among prospective customers and/or purchasers of the services provided by plaintiffs," the lawsuit reads, according to AllHipHop.com.
Middleton and Williams admitted to having issues with Riley and Hannibal during a radio interview on Hartford, Connecticut's Hot 93.7. They claimed there were "two sets" of Blackstreet because the two owners refused to share proceeds.
According to AllHipHop.com, Riley and Hannibal said that Middleton and Williams signed a contract, stipulating they were "works for hire" and had no rights to the trademark name.
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