DX News Bits: Pharrell, Akon

Pharrell Williams sues Italian fashion firm over trademark block, Akon to be sued over canceled Belgium show.

According to the New York Post, renowned Hip Hop producer Pharrell Williams is in the process of suing Italian fashion firm Gilmar Group because the company blocked a trademark application for Pharrell’s Ice Cream clothing line.

Gilmar Group states that the Ice Cream trademark was too similar to their Ice and Iceberg brands.

Pharrell is claiming that his brands name, Ice Cream, "creates a vastly different sound, appearance, meaning and overall commercial impression."

Ice Cream was launched by Pharrell in 2005 with the help of manager Robert Walker and Japanese fashion entrepreneur Nigo.

In other Hip Hop news, TMZ reports that rapper/singer Akon is now facing a lawsuit after canceling a show in Belgium.

The shows promoters, Lofraco Belgium, claim that they paid Akon’s booking agents $125,000 prior to the show but were told eight days before the show that Akon had to cancel due to “scheduling conflicts.”

Lofraco Belgium is seeking $250,000 in expenses and millions in damages.