Jelly Roll Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Trademark Infringement

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In a legal clash that has captured attention, Pennsylvania band Jellyroll has initiated legal action against up-and-coming singer Jelly Roll (born Jason Bradley DeFord) over alleged trademark infringement.

Court documents filed on April 8 reveal that lawyers representing Jellyroll band member Kurt L. Titchenell are urging Jelly Roll to cease using his stage name, citing their prior use of the name since 1980, predating Jelly Roll’s birth by four years. The band secured a trademark in 2010, which was renewed in 2019 through 2029.

The complaint alleges that Jellyroll has been a fixture at “celebratory and charitable events” in the northeastern United States since 1980, including performances at the White House for President George W. Bush and his family.

Before Jelly Roll’s recent rise to fame, online searches for “Jellyroll” predominantly returned references to the band. However, the complaint notes a significant shift in search results favoring Jelly Roll, impacting the band’s visibility.

Representatives for Jelly Roll have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the lawsuit.

Jelly Roll has previously stated that he adopted his stage name from childhood, with his mother affectionately calling him “Jelly Roll.” He has used the moniker professionally since at least 2003, gaining prominence with releases such as “Son of a Sinner” in 2021 and “Need a Favor” in 2023, earning a Best New Artist nomination at the Grammy Awards.

The band Jellyroll initially issued a cease and desist letter in February, but discussions failed to reach a resolution. Through the lawsuit, the band seeks a court order halting the use of the name “Jellyroll” or any similar derivation.