Huey Newton Foundation Sues CafePress

Use of his image is a trademark violation, suit claims

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The widow of Black Panther Party-co-founder Dr. Huey P. Newton is suing a California clothing company for $2 million for unauthorized use of his likeness.

Fredrika Newton is accusing CafePress of Santa Mateo, Calif., of selling Huey Newton paraphernalia—including coffee mugs, tote bags, kids’ baseball shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, pins, buttons, and badges— in violation of the trademark held by the Vallejo, Calif.-based Dr. Huey P. Newton Foundation.

Some of the items, which have been listed as some of the most popular items on the clothier's website, are emblazoned with the iconic photo of Newton sitting in a high-back rattan chair, wearing a beret and holding a rifle in one hand and a spear in the other.

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