Ice cube is suing Robinhood for allegedly using his likeness without permission. The hip-hop mogul refers to a blog post from March 8 on Robinhood Snacks, a financial daily newsletter. A still from the 2007 film Are We Done Yet? appears in the article titled “Why are tech stocks falling?” With a caption that read, “Correct yourself, before you wreck yourself,” a clear reference to his 1992 hit “Check Yo Self.”
The lawsuit states that the “Defendants deliberately and shamelessly misappropriated Ice Cube’s image and likeness to promote Robinhood’s horrible products and services—and the last things in the world to which Ice Cube would ever attach his image and likeness.” It continues, “This blatant theft of Ice Cube’s image and likeness to endorse Robinhood’s dangerous products and services has resulted in substantial damage to Ice Cube.”
The complaint goes on to discuss Robinhood’s involvement in the GameStop saga, as well as the company’s contentious decision to place certain investors’ trading accounts on hold.
“Just as Robinhood’s recent well-known conduct has resulted in Congressional investigations and numerous class action lawsuits, so too has it stolen and diminished the hard-earned image and brand of Ice Cube, one of the most prominent Black voices in America,” the lawsuit continues. “In a cynical effort to appeal to a young demographic, Robinhood has engaged celebrity endorsers such as Jay-Z, Nas, and Jared Leto to endorse its products and services. Robinhood has picked on the wrong man this time.”
The financial services firm has denied any wrongdoing, telling TMZ that the photograph was taken and used lawfully.
“No, we didn’t use his image without permission,” a Robinhood representative said. “The image was licensed and used for non-commercial, editorial purposes in connection with a blog article.”
