Producer Dame Grease was planning to release a Max B-themed clothing line, but claims he was blocked by Amalgam Digital for copyright infringement.
In an interview with AllHipHop.com, Grease claims Amalgam Digital filed court order to stop production on the clothing line called CKDOUT, claiming it infringes on the company’s copyright for the incarcerated Max B.
The producer, however, says he was under the impression that Amalgam’s merchandise license had expired.
“I remembered the first album deal they did with Max,” Grease explained. “They did three albums and the merchandising [license] was for them albums. But, I guess Max did another deal with them. The only reason I did the [Max B Wave Gang clothing venture] was because Max said he needed some cash. Person like me is a hustler, so I go and try and help him get some cash to take care of his kids.”
Amalgam owner Anyextee refutes Grease’s claim about the court order, but confirms that his use of Max B’s is illegal.
“Dame Grease is asserting false claims in that Amalgam Digital put out a ‘court order,’ ” said the label head. “This is not true. It’s an exaggeration and it’s a bit dramatic on Dame Grease’s part. I had called Dame Grease earlier today, after becoming [aware] of this clothing line and website that is illegally selling t-shirts and sunglasses using Max B’s name and image without securing the proper license to do so, and discovered that it is being promoted by Dame Grease.
“I reminded Dame Grease that Max B is still signed with Amalgam Digital and that I manage Max B as an artist and represent his best interests,” Anyextee continued. “I asked Dame why it’s being marketed as a portion of the proceeds going to Max B and his family, yet Max B and his mother had no idea Dame Grease and this site was selling merchandise with his image on it. There is no contract in place. No license. No payment. Max didn’t even get a chance to approve any of these images. As his manager, I wasn’t aware of it and the label didn’t know about it.”
Max B is currently serving a prison sentence for a robbery-murder, and isn’t due for release until 2042.
