Rick’s Rights Under The First Amendment.

Plaintiff Ricky Ross brought an action against defendant for misappropriating his name and identity. Plaintiff Ricky Ross first made a name for himself by selling cocaine; at the height of his operation, he sold as much as $3 million worth of cocaine a day. Meanwhile, defendant, a former correctional officer, used the stage name Rick Ross in pursuing his rap music career. The lyrics of defendant Rick Ross’s songs frequently include fictional stories about running large-scale cocaine operations. The trial court granted defendant’s motion for summary judgment. The appellate court affirmed, finding “defendant’s First Amendment rights provide a complete defense to all of plaintiff’s claims.” (Ricky D. Ross v. William Leonard Roberts II  (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 2; December 23, 2013) 222 Cal.App.4th 677, [166 Cal.Rptr.3d 359].)