Canadian musician Drake, basketball star LeBron James and rapper Future have been served with a $10- million lawsuit over an intellectual property dispute, according to a story in the New York Post.
The film, “Black Ice,” about the history of racism in Canadian hockey, is set to have a gala presentation at TIFF on Saturday at Roy Thomson Hall. TIFF said Tuesday afternoon that the film will screen as planned.
The Post reported that Billy Hunter, former head of the NBA Players Association and ex-federal prosecutor, is seeking a portion of profits made from the film as well as $10 million in damages. Hunter alleges he holds exclusive rights to any film about the Coloured Hockey League that existed from 1895 through the 1930s.
Hunter has accused James, Drake and their respective entertainment companies of going behind his back with the authors of the book the film is based on, “Black Ice: The Lost History of the Coloured Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895 to 1925.” The book’s authors, George and Darril Fosty, are also listed as defendants in the suit.
Neither side’s legal representation has yet responded to requests for comment.
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