Teenpreneur To Put Snoop Dogg On Short Leash

College freshman pushes back against Snoop Dogg's efforts to thwart progress of the company and product she invented in high school, even if it means going to court. In an exclusive interview with Innovativeeconomy.com yesterday, the young lady recently voted by Black Enterprise Magazine as Teenpreneur of the Year for 2008 announced her plans to fight oppressive tactics she believes Dogg is using to prevent her from obtaining a trademark on a patent-pending electronic device branded as NoeStringAttached by SnoopTunes™.

In my opinion, Mr. Dogg is abusing the legal system to oppress an innocent person who should be held up as an example for teens everywhere. He did not trademark all uses and meanings of the word 'snoop' and this product in no way creates any confusion or association with his likeness or brand

Irving, Texas (PRWEB) August 5, 2008 - College freshman pushes back against Snoop Dogg's efforts to thwart progress of the company and product she invented in high school, even if it means going to court. In an exclusive interview with Innovativeeconomy.com [Innovativeeconomy Blog yesterday, the young lady recently voted by Black Enterprise Magazine as Teenpreneur of the Year for 2008 announced her plans to fight oppressive tactics she believes Dogg is using to prevent her from obtaining a trademark on a patent-pending electronic device branded as NoeStringAttached by SnoopTunes™.

At the age of 14, young Kristyn Heath invented an electronic device that allows iPod and mp3 users to listen to each other's music without unlawfully transferring it. It allows kids to snoop each other's songs when they are within a few feet of each other. With the guidance of her parents, Heath filed a patent application, developed a prototype, manufactured units for sale, and built a fully operational business over the course of her high school career. The trademark application is being held up by Snoop Dogg who contends the name SnoopTunes™ violates his trademark Snoop Dogg.

"In my opinion, Mr. Dogg is abusing the legal system to oppress an innocent person who should be held up as an example for teens everywhere. He did not trademark all uses and meanings of the word 'snoop' and this product in no way creates any confusion or association with his likeness or brand," says Shane Lashley, MBA, M.Mgt., CEO of IP Launch, Inc., an intellectual property management and advisory firm in Dallas, Texas. "I don't think he will prevail."

In the blog post, which contains greater detail of the problem and Mr. Lashley's assessment of it, Heath describes specific tactics she believes Dogg is using to drive up her legal bills, create financial pressure and crush her ability to fight the dispute based on its legal merit. She believes this is not the first time he has used such an approach, but she is convinced it will be the first time it does not work. Heath intends to see the matter evaluated in court, if necessary, so that legal merits have at least a shot at being considered.

"This is not like Spike Lee vs. TNN's Spike TV plan in 2003", Lashley contends. "In that case, you had a single person able to hold an entire multimillion dollar company hostage, so that it lost millions just waiting for the case to be heard. You also had an open intent by the company to invoke the image of Spike Lee, among others. Heath's mother came up with the name SnoopTunes™ and she strongly dislikes rap music. She had no intention of invoking a gangsta image for her teenage daughter's product. Moreover, there is no economic hostage opportunity for Dogg. We are talking about a start-up that needs capital to grow, not a company with coffers to pay off frivolous lawsuits just to avoid the cost of fighting. This case will have to be resolved on the basis of its legal merits, and though I am not an attorney, I do not believe he is in the position of power on that subject."

About Shane Lashley, MBA, M.Mgt. - Mr. Lashley is co-founder and CEO of IP Launch, Inc., an intellectual property management and advisory firm that specializes in valuation and monetization of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets. He recently launched Innovativeeconomy Blog, a personal blog dedicated to those who resolve not to be victims of their economy, but instead seek to restore a sense of hope and vision for consumers and companies. His blog is for those who will confidently reclaim the economic freedom that occurs when someone's imagination is not limited by the fears of the status quo. Contact: Shane Lashley, c/o IP Launch, Inc., 5605 North MacArthur Blvd., 11th Floor, Irving, Texas 75038, (972) 819-2076.

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