MC Lyte, born Lana Moorer, officially owns the rights to her stage name, and it only took her more than 30 years of patience to do it.
The “Partners In Rhyme” producer shared the moment she unwrapped her trademark registration paperwork with fans via Instagram video, in which she can be seen proudly reading the declaration that her brand is officially protected.
“’Congratulations on the federal registration of your trademark,’” she read. “‘Enjoy the everlasting peace of having a protected brand that you now have the exclusive right to use across the United States and the globe.’ Wow. There it is. There it is. Trademark. Thank you, Michelle Miller.”
In her post’s caption, the 50-year-old explained that she originally lost the legal rights to her stage name after her record deal with First Priority Music/Atlantic Records in the late 1980s granted the label all rights to her name instead.
“Own Your Brand- For years I was signed to a major label and they owned the rights to my name,” the “Ruffneck” rapper wrote in the post. “I created the name Lyte in 1985 that helped solidify my career in Hip Hop. I signed to the infamous @firstprioritymusic and they added the MC, appropriately due. We were blessed to sign a huge deal with a major label. “
After learning that the copyright was close to expiration from her old friend and former First Priority label mate DJ Nat “Gizmo” Robinson, she took his advice and made moves to reclaim ownership with help from her legal team.
Read full story at Atlanta Black Star here.
