Rapper Everlast is hopping mad.
The frontman of ’90s hip-hop group House of Pain claims that a Long Island inflatable playpen firm stole its catchy name from his band’s massive 1992 hit “Jump Around,” according to a federal lawsuit.
Rapper turned bluesman Erik “Everlast” Schrody is attempting to block the Wantagh-based Jump Around Rentals from trademarking their name and slogan, “If You Want To Get Down Jump Around,” papers show. The slogan is a line from the song, which is still a staple of bars and sports venues.
Schrody’s attorneys call the company’s use of the “Jump Around” phraseology an “egregious violation” and assert that he “takes his intellectual property rights seriously,” according to court papers.
The rapper is demanding that they stop using the phrase and provide evidence of how much money they’ve made while using it, papers state.
The Long Island firm, in operation since 2010, blasted back at Schrody’s threats of legal action. Jump Around Rentals claims the firm has invested significantly in the name without any negative impact on Schrody.
Schrody did not respond to a call to his cellphone. Attorneys for both sides declined to comment.