On Wednesday, a jury found the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer not guilty in a lawsuit filed by Parlux Fragrances LLC, alleging that he failed to properly advertise his distinctive “Gold Jay-Z” fragrance and thereby broke contractual commitments.
He will not be held accountable for the $67 million in damages sought, according to Billboard. Parlux and JAY-Z, who were seeking $6 million in royalties from the contract, were not granted any money.
“You failed to prove your case, they failed to prove their case,” Justice Andrew Borrok told an attorney for Parlux after the verdict was announced. “You’re excused.”
JAY-Z has been involved in a legal battle for over six years over his “Gold Jay-Z” trademark, which he created in 2013 in collaboration with Parlux.
The rapper was meant to conduct a number of events to promote Gold, including an appearance on “Good Morning America” and a Macy’s in-store visit, according to Parlux, but he “never once personally appeared.”
“I did a lot for the Gold Jay-Z launch,” JAY-Z said while testifying in Manhattan Supreme Court last month. “You have me on trial from something I didn’t do.”
The jury was convinced by JAY-arguments, Z’s lawyer’s which questioned why he would put his brand on a product he intended to fail.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to the jury, especially during these difficult times,” JAY-Z said following his victory.