Food Service Solutions LLC, 1810 LLC and the estate of late civil rights activist Russell Graddy filed a lawsuit on Aug. 16 in New Jersey federal court alleging trademark infringement and misappropriation of right of publicity.
The lawsuit, brought by Leason Ellis, takes aim at Mr. Gs MYMY, which bought the real estate previously used by Graddy, also known to the Paterson community as ‘Mr. G,’ to operate its own diner after the original diner had been closed by the Graddy family. The suit accuses the defendant of misappropriating Graddy’s nickname and likeness in order to operate a “counterfeit” diner. Counsel have yet to appear for the defendant. The case is Food Service Solutions v. Mr. Gs MYMY, No. 2:24-cv-08513.