“Coinye” is no match for Kanye.
Rapper Kanye West filed legal papers claiming he’s won his court fight with the operators of a digital currency called “Coinye.”
West on Friday moved for summary judgment against the creators of the digital currency — featuring gold cyber-coins with a cartoon image of Kayne West wearing his signature shades — after they failed to respond to his January Manhattan federal court suit seeking unspecified money damages and an order prohibiting the use of his name.
Only two of the 12 named defendants have responded. In the past month, Robbie Hontele filed legal papers saying he’s “executed a confidential settlement agreement” with West and the rap star’s company, while another, Richard McCord, said he has an “impending” deal in place.
Following the suit’s filing, the creators of Coinye — a electronic currency they hoped would rival encrypted Bitcoin — said they would change the name. Their website even posted a message, “COINYE IS DEAD. You win, Kanye.”
However, ads for Coinye still show up on some online sites.
The coin’s image appears to resemble a cartoon likeness of West, also knows as Mr. Kim Kardashian, seen on an episode of the TV show “South Park.”
Judge Analisa Torres still needs to sign off on the default judgment. West would likely have difficultly collecting on any monetary award since the currency makers live outside the country.