Jay-Z Says David Ortiz Stole 40/40 Name For Dominican Nightclub

It's Rapper versus Red Sox! According to the Daily News, Jay-Z and a business partner are suing Boston slugger David Ortiz, accusing the Boston slugger of trademark infringement for naming his Santo Domingo club Forty-Forty, in hopes of capitalizing on the rap star’s fame.



Ortiz has countered that the club name references the rare baseball feat of hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases in one season. Jay-Z’s club isn’t able to claim any formal rights to the name Forty-Forty in the Dominican Republic — but they’re trying to go after Ortiz through the US registration for the web site, www.fortyforty.net.

"David Ortiz was at the club at least twice, and certainly knew of it," said Jay-Z's lawyer, Peter Raymond, of the firm ReedSmith.

The rapper, whose chain of sports bars can be found in Tokyo, New York City, and other locations, is seeking over $5 million in damages and for Ortiz to forfeit any use of the 40/40 name.