Legal

It's become the battle cry for the Baltimore Ravens -- "BIG TRUSS!!!" -- and someone has already filed for the trademark ... but it wasn't Mark Ingram!

Remember, it was the Ravens star running back who brought the phrase to prominence following a Nov. 17 victory over the Houston Texans.

During the post-game press conference, Ingram was introducing Lamar Jackson and called him the MVP frontrunner, challenging anyone who says otherwise to "come see me"

"I'm bout that! Big Truss!! Woo Woo! Lamar Jackson! In the Flesh!"

In fact, Ingram has already tapped an apparel company to sell "Big Truss" shirts and other merch ... it's on sale now!

But, the issue for Ingram ... someone else already went to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and filed to own the trademark -- a Nevada-based fan named Lance Roehl.

Roehl has also been selling "Big Truss" merch -- and tells TMZ Sports he hopes to work with Ingram and the Ravens in some sort of capacity.

He insists he isn't a squatter who's holding the phrase hostage -- however, if he gets his application approved he could (in theory) go after Ingram for selling "Big Truss" merch without permission.

As for his legal claim, it generally takes about 3 months for the USPTO to approve the trademark application and usually the first to apply with a substantive claim gets it.

As of this post, neither Ingram or the Ravens have filed an application of their own.

So, what does it mean??? Most likely, Roehl will get approval and either Ingram and the Ravens will probably cut a check to buy it outright or work out a licensing deal.

In the meantime, Ingram and the Ravens are gearing up for the AFC Divisional Round playoff game which goes down on January 11 ... so, they've got bigger fish to fry.

The guy who got jumped and robbed by DaBaby and his crew plans to lawyer up and file suit against them.

The victim -- who TMZ learned is a concert promoter named Kenneth -- tells us ... multiple attorneys have reached out to him to offer their services -- as in suing DaBaby.

Kenneth says he'll be going after the rapper and everyone involved in the brutal incident ... which he claims left him with cuts and bruises on his face.

As for what went down ... Kenneth says he was hired to put on a birthday party for rapper Stunna 4 Vegas at a Florida nightclub Thursday night and made a deal with DaBaby to host. He claims it was for a discounted rate of $30k because the rappers are friends.

Kenneth tells us he showed up with $20k and promised he could get DaBaby an additional $10k from his artist YC Woody ... but the rapper and his crew got pissed, and it quickly turned violent.

The promoter says he had to get checked out by a doctor because his injuries were so bad. He says video of the assault is difficult for him and his loved ones to watch. Kenneth also claims DaBaby's team made off with the $20k and hasn't returned it.

We broke the story ... DaBaby was initially detained and later arrested for battery in connection with the incident. According to the police report, Kenneth was robbed of $80, a credit card, an iPhone 7 and then doused with apple juice. It's certainly possible authorities will add a robbery charge.

Harvey Weinstein will go on trial next week for sexual assault, and as fierce as the prosecutor has been ... Weinstein's lawyers have their counterattack planned.

Weinstein's lead attorney, Donna Rotunno, tells TMZ, the defense will attempt to pick apart the testimony of the alleged victims by making what she calls a "common sense" argument -- that people who get assaulted don't maintain contact with the perpetrator. Rotunno says she has text messages and proof of subsequent interactions that support their position.

We know prosecutors will call a psychiatrist who will testify that it's common for sexual assault victims to delay in reporting the crime and they will often continue to interact with their assailant.

A mysterious new twist in the Antonio Brown paternity case ... and this one involves allegations of domestic violence -- but it's unclear if AB is the alleged assailant.

Here's the deal ... Brown has been wrapped up in a paternity dispute with Chelsie Kyriss since 2017 in Broward County, Florida. They have 3 children together.

We've been routinely checking the court records to monitor any developments in the case -- and in late December, the docket showed a new "related case" has been added to the record.

We pulled the file for the related case which is listed as a "Domestic Violence" matter. It was filed on Dec. 26 and is currently being handled in family court.

The issue ... the case is currently under seal -- which means the important details, including the people involved, are not being made public so we don't know if the matter is "related" to Brown or Kyriss or both.

We reached out to lawyers for Brown and Kyriss but neither side would comment.

We've also made calls to various law enforcement agencies but so far we haven't found a police report.

Brown and Kyriss have had a terrible relationship for years and it's well documented. Brown has previously accused of Kyriss of being a terrible, neglectful mom and in 2018, made a push to get sole custody of their kids.

Most recently, Brown filed a lawsuit against Kyriss claiming she refuses to leave his Florida home despite serving her with eviction papers.

In fact, things are so bad between the two, Kyriss called police in mid-December to monitor a clothing handoff at Brown's home so she could get various items from him that belong to their child.

The 2 men who were featured in "Leaving Neverland" who accused Michael Jackson of molesting them as children have just won a huge legal victory ... because a California appeals court has just given them the right to sue for sexual abuse.

A trial judge threw out the cases of James Safechuck and Wade Robson, on grounds they waited too long to file their claim. When they filed their lawsuits, California law did not support their claim, because the statute of limitations required them to file before they turned 26. At the time they filed, Robson was 30 and Safechuck was 36.

But, a new law took effect on January 1, 2020, which allows sexual abuse victims to sue until they're 40. A California appeals court just ruled the new law allows both Robson and Safechuck to have their cases tried -- presumably before a jury.

It's a huge reversal of fortune. Up till now, the MJ companies have been able to fend off these claims based on the statute of limitations, but that's all changed as of New Year's Day.

A Dollywood guest heading back to the hotel at the end of the day ended up in the hospital instead, thanks to a reckless trolley driver ... according to a new suit.

The woman claims she hopped in the trolley at Dolly Parton's famous Pigeon Forge, TN theme park in late December 2018 to travel to Dollywood's DreamMore Resort ... but driving conditions sucked.

According to the docs ... it was foggy, raining and dark, and the trolley's windshield was all fogged up. The woman alleges some of the 35 passengers onboard warned the guy driving it was hard to see ... but he kept going.

The trolley then crashed into a concrete pole, according to the suit, a little after 8 PM. The woman claims she and 5 others were injured in the accident, and she was transported by ambulance to a nearby medical center.

According to her, the trolley driver was negligent and reckless and caused the collision. She's suing Dollywood, along with the driver, for her injuries, medical expenses and pain and suffering. She's seeking $250,000.

We've reached out to the theme park ... no word back, so far.

Tekashi 6ix9ine is hard to reach these days, which is why a Danish rapper who sued him 8 months ago wants a judge to help him do just that to close the book on a legal matter.

The artist, Sleiman, just filed new court docs ahead of the new year -- asking for a default judgment against the incarcerated MC ... because he says T69 never got back to him after filing an OG lawsuit back in April. As such, Sleiman wants this buttoned up in his favor.

You'll recall ... Sleiman claimed Tekashi and co. were muzzling a track the two artists made together in 2018, despite Tekashi allegedly signing away the rights for a cool $100k.

Sleiman wants to release the song, titled 'Red Bandnna/Black Hoodie,' but says he's gotta go through the red tape first to make sure it's on the up and up. Along the way, he alleges he's been losing out on money and opportunity as long as it isn't out. He also wants it decreed ... the song belongs to him alone -- and not to any entity affiliated with 6ix9ine.

If you're curious what the song sounds like, it's possible it'll be similar to another one they apparently did together called "R.E.D." Unclear if this is the tune in question, but it appears to be the only project right now with both of their names attached.

Now, Sleiman insists Tekashi was properly served this past September with the help of a court-appointed U.S. Marshal -- and once again ... the guys' asking for a judge's help in sending this final notice. Sleiman says he's gotten default judgments against everyone else who was a defendant in his final version of the suit, and Tekashi's the last domino.

It's funny ... Sleiman and his lawyers acknowledge they can't actually get the lawsuit closed out by default until they do this one last step -- and they even offer Tekashi's inmate number to help out whoever gets sent to the federal prison he's locked up in.

Of course, Tekashi isn't due to walk free until mid to late 2020 ... so it's understandable this dude wouldn't want to wait 'til then. A judge still has to sign off on the order, BTW.

We've reached out to Tekashi's legal team ... so far, no word back.

Offset got the drip from a popular jeweler in L.A. but hasn't squared his tab with the guy in over a year ... according to a new suit.

Peter Marco of Extraordinary Jewels Beverly Hills is going after the Migos rapper for $47,000, for what he claims are unpaid fees from an October 2018 transaction at his store.

The legal docs -- obtained by TMZ -- include a copy of an invoice allegedly showing Offset bought some bling for $110k, but only paid $63k at the time ... leaving the balance of $47k.

According to Marco ... his legal team sent Offset a letter in early December demanding the payment within 7 days, but it looks like they didn't get it. So now, the jeweler wants the full amount ... plus interest and attorney fees.

The lawsuit also lists Quality Control Music COO Kevin "Coach K" Lee. The record label reps Migos.

We've reached out to Offset and Coach K ... no word back so far.

YK Osiris won't be missing out on any studio time on the West Coast as he deals with the aftermath of his arrest for aggravated assault on the East Coast.

The singer says he needs to travel back and forth from California to Georgia over the next three months for recording sessions ... and, according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ, a judge in Atlanta just gave him the green light to travel outside the state for work.

As we first reported ... YK Osiris was arrested last month after allegedly beating the crap out of his girlfriend at his own birthday party. Osiris maintains his innocence and claims he never touched the woman, adding he has witnesses to back him up.

YK has NOT been charged with a crime, but he's still got an open court case stemming from the alleged incident ... and that's why he needed a judge's permission to leave the state.

Too Short's rape accuser has officially dropped her lawsuit against the rap legend ... TMZ has learned.

Teana Louis had sued Too Short claiming he sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions in Los Angeles between June and October of 2016.

In her lawsuit, Teana claimed the attacks included forced oral sex, vaginal sex and sodomy.

Too Short had been adamant Teana's allegations amounted to an extortion attempt.

Now, Teana has filed new court docs calling off the suit -- asking to dismiss it with prejudice, which means she can't refile it.

Unclear if Too Short and Teana struck a settlement -- but it's not uncommon in situations like this.

Antonio Brown really wants his ex out of his house ... and he's doing everything he can to kick his baby mama to the curb.

The unemployed wide receiver is suing his ex, Chelsie Kyriss ... claiming she's refusing to leave his home after he served her with an eviction notice.

Antonio just filed legal docs in Florida, obtained by TMZ Sports, claiming Chelsie is a guest in his home and is ignoring his notice to vacate the premises ... he says she was supposed to pack up and leave by Dec. 16, but claims she's still living in his Fort Lauderdale estate.

The lawsuit is the latest in a nasty spat between the former couple.

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth have worked out all the details of their divorce ... TMZ has learned.

Sources directly connected to Liam and Miley tell TMZ, her lawyer will file legal docs Tuesday declaring the 2 have reached a settlement in their divorce.

The divorce was marked by significant bitterness on both sides, but that seems to have subsided as they decided it's better to move on than fight.

It really wasn't that difficult to ultimately settle up. They have no kids, she'll keep the animals and our sources tell us there's a prenup so dividing property wasn't all that tough.

The lawyers behind the settlement -- disso queen Laura Wasser repping Liam and Judith R. Forman repping Miley -- were able to quietly work through the stumbling blocks and submit the paperwork to the judge.

Lil Wayne is being held up at an airport in Miami right now as federal agents search a plane he was a passenger on, but he's got legal help at the ready ... TMZ has confirmed.

Miami Herald broke the story ... Weezy was one of a few different people aboard a private jet Monday that was stopped by the feds after it landed at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport. The paper says it was on its way to California after a stop in Florida.

For now, it doesn't appear anyone's been arrested for anything -- the Herald reports a search is currently underway and that Wayne and co. are being held at the airport. Per the outlet, agents got a tip on possible drugs being transported ... and obtained a search warrant.

One thing we do know for sure ... we're told Wayne -- who's a Miami resident -- has already contacted his lawyers in the area, and they're on the scene with him now.

Law enforcement sources also confirmed the details of Miami Herald's reporting.

MH also notes that if any arrests or charges stem from this ... it could mean someone's gonna be behind bars for Christmas. Apparently, the federal courts won't be open on Christmas Eve or Day, and the earliest a person's case could be heard would be Thursday.

That aside, the search echoes of one that recently ended in tragedy. Of course, we're talking about Juice WRLD ... who suffered a fatal seizure at an airport in Chicago 2 weeks ago.

Federal agents were also there waiting to search the private aircraft he was in, and we're told folks saw him ingest a number of unknown pills after realizing what was happening.

He later died after life-saving efforts were made on the spot.

Mariah Carey works her hired help to the bone, and then kicks 'em to the curb when she's had enough ... so claims her ex-nanny in new legal docs.

MiMi's being sued by a woman named Maria Burgues, who claims she worked for Mariah between late 2017 and early 2018 ... watching over her two kids and, allegedly, flying all over the world with them without getting paid her fair share for the job she was doing.

Burgues alleges in her lawsuit -- obtained by TMZ -- that Mariah and co. wouldn't let her take required breaks she's supposed to get under California law, including rests and meals. Burgues says those just weren't a thing while she was employed.

Burgues doesn't get specific about what exactly her schedule or allotted hours for each week were, but she makes it sound like she was working round the clock for Mariah, often on non-nannying duties and tasks that allegedly didn't involve the kids at all.

Adding insult to injury, Burgues claims Mariah had a bodyguard she reported to who was a scumbag and allegedly treated her like dirt out in the open on more than one occasion. She even alleges the guy almost got them into a major traffic accident for being on his phone.

Britney Spears and company mean business when anyone insinuates her conservatorship is secretly harming her ... because her people just nailed a hater with a big, fat injunction.

Britney's dad, Jamie, just got the order, prohibiting a guy named Anthony Elia from talking smack about the conservatorship. As we reported, Elia created the "Absolute Britney" blog suggesting Jamie and his team were manipulating Britney's Instagram account to make it look like she needs help when she did not ... in other words to make it look like she needs a conservatorship.

Elia went so far as to call the treatment of Britney "a human rights violation." What especially enraged Jamie ... that Elia says he came to the conclusion on a "gut feeling."

Jamie and his lawyer, Larry Stein, claimed this is defamation, pure and simple, and went to court to muzzle Elia.

The judge saw it Jamie's way and ordered Elia to immediately stop his claims ... especially those suggesting the conservatorship is harming Britney.

Joe Horn is facing 10 YEARS in prison after the ex-NFL star just pled guilty to scamming the NFL's retired player health care plan out of nearly $150,000.

The former New Orleans Saint was one of several ex-NFL players -- including Clinton Portis -- who was charged by federal prosecutors earlier this month with defrauding the Gene Upshaw NFL Player Health Reimbursement Account Plan.

Officials say Horn, along with 10 other ex-NFLers, sought reimbursements for things like expensive medical equipment and prescriptions that they never bought in the first place.

But, instead of fighting the case in court, 47-year-old Horn agreed to plead guilty on Thursday to one charge of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ Sports, the charge carries a sentence of up to 10 YEARS behind bars ... as well as fine of up to $250,000 -- plus probation.

But, it seems Horn took the plea deal with the hopes a judge will take it easy on him at his sentencing hearing later next year.

As for the details of the plea agreement -- according to the docs, Horn admitted to submitting two false claims that totaled up to $149,775 ... and will have to pay that back.