Daddy Yankee sues ex-wife over ‘DY’ trademark rights
Puerto Rican artist Ramón L. Ayala-Rodríguez, known globally as Daddy Yankee, has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Puerto Rico against his former spouse, Mireddys González-Castellanos, seeking a declaratory judgment to confirm his sole rights to the trademarks “Daddy Yankee” and “DY.”
In an 18-page complaint, Ayala-Rodríguez and his company, El Cartel Records Inc., argue that González has no personal ownership interest in the trademarks. They allege her recent actions — including threats of litigation and filings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office — have created a “chilling effect” on his ability to continue using the name.
According to the lawsuit, González-Castellanos, through counsel, sent a cease-and-desist letter on July 24 claiming rights to the marks and demanding Ayala-Rodríguez stop using them. The letter also threatened legal action if he did not comply. “Absent full compliance by the deadline, our client will have no choice but to pursue further legal action to protect her rights,” the complaint quotes from the letter.
Ayala-Rodríguez contends he began using “Daddy Yankee” in the early 1990s, before the creation of El Cartel Records, which later held the trademarks on his behalf. The company, which Ayala-Rodríguez now controls, was dissolved in April, and any rights it held were reassigned to him. “Ayala is the only natural person that has continuously used the marks ‘Daddy Yankee’ and ‘DY’ in commerce through his artistic career,” the complaint states.
The lawsuit asks the court to confirm that Ayala-Rodríguez legally owns and may use the marks and to issue preliminary and permanent injunctions barring González-Castellanos from interfering. The filing says that blocking him from performing or promoting under “Daddy Yankee” and “DY” would cause irreparable harm to his career, reputation and goodwill.
“Ayala never expected that it would be necessary to seek court intervention in order to ensure that he — in his personal capacity — is free to use his artistic name for any and all legal purposes,” the lawsuit states.
A response from González-Castellanos was not included in the court filings as of press time. The case is the latest in a series of legal disputes between the former spouses.
