A New York jury has rejected fragrance giant Parlux Fragrances’ bid to sue rapper Jay-Z for breaching the terms of his contract.
The fragrance creator dragged the music sensation through the courts, seeking damages of US$67.6m, for claims that he failed to promote his signature scent Jay-Z Gold.
Members of the jury also dismissed the hip hop icon’s countersuit for alleged unpaid royalties, Law360 reported.
“You failed to prove your case, and they failed to prove their case,” New York State Supreme Court Justice, Andrew Borrok, said after hearing the verdict, the publication wrote.
“You’re excused,” he told jurors.
The trial has been six years in the making, after Parlux Fragrances’ parent Perfumania Holdings filed the case against Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and his company S Carter Enterprises in 2016.
During the three week trial, Carter appeared in court himself to give evidence against the perfume creator, also responsible for Billie Eilish’s debut scent and fragrances under Paris Hilton’s brand.
The Empire State of Mind singer and wife of fellow smash hit singer Beyoncé branded the company’s marketing efforts as “lazy” and “crappy”, which ultimately contributed to the breakdown of their business relationship.
“It was a tough relationship, but I was still trying to make something amazing,” he reportedly told the court.
Meanwhile, Perfumania depicted the 51-year-old as an absent promoter, who cost the company millions for allegedly abandoning the project they began together.
The company expected to make around $100m off sales of the cologne within five years, but only chased in $15m in the first year and $6m in the second.
