Former Hell's Kitchen winner loses legal battle against Jay-Z
A Newcastle-based restaurateur has lost a five-year legal battle over naming rights against international rap artist Jay-Z (pictured).
Terry Miller, who set up his restaurant "Rockafella" after winning the 2005 series of Hell's Kitchen, was taken to court over the use of the word after Jay-Z claimed the name of the restaurant would confuse the public into thinking it was associated with his Roc-A-Fella Records entertainment business.
Miller initially won a ruling granting him the exclusive trademark and the right to use the name in the UK. However, Roc-A-Fella Records challenged the decision and its appeal was this week upheld at a hearing in London.
Professor Ruth Annand overturned the original judgment, claiming the previous case manager was wrong to say the two business names would not clash as Jay-Z's business interests were not entirely separate from the catering trade.
Miller set up the Rockafella restaurant after winning Hell's Kitchen but closed the business last year. He now runs an outside catering business under the same name.
Miller, who was unavailable for comment, is reportedly considering appealing the latest ruling.
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By Kerstin Kühn
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