2Pac’s estate scores a win in court over his Makaveli project cover art.
On Wednesday, District Judge Jane J. Boyle dismissed a lawsuit filed by Artist Ronald Brent, the Zelus Group and Leslie Ware against the late rapper’s estate and Amaru Entertainment regarding ownership of the original Makaveli painting.
According to legal documents, Brent, Zelus, and Ware filed the suit to request the court to declare Ware the rightful owner of the painting, which appeared on 2Pac’s album “The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory.”
The plaintiffs claimed Brent was the original owner of the painting until 2012. He allegedly sold the painting to a third-party, who then sold the image to Zelus Group in 2021. That same year, Ware won the painting during a 2021 auction held by Zelus Group.
In contrast, Amaru claimed Brent never owned the artwork and was just an employee of Death Row Records who had ownership of the painting until 2022.
“By contrast, Amaru contends that Brent never ‘owned’ the Makaveli painting or image to begin with,” the ruling read. “Rather, because Brent was an employee for DDR, Amaru alleges that ownership of the painting and image stayed with DRR.”
However, Boyle rejected the case due to not having jurisdiction over Tupac’s estate and Amaru Entertainment.
“Plaintiffs seek to hale Amaru to the Northern District of Texas for declaration as to the ownership and copyright of the Painting and Image, and their action is against Amaru directly and personally,” Judge Boyle wrote. “To conclude that the Court could assert jurisdiction over Amaru merely because of the painting’s presence in Texas would place ancient forms over modern notions of due process.”
Nevertheless, the painting is currently residing in Ware’s Dallas home.
