R&B singer Trey Songz is seeking the immediate “cease and desist” of reality TV star Dave Hester’s (of the A&E series “Storage Wars”) use of the catchphrase “YUUUP.”
According to reports, Hester was served a “cease and desist” from the singer’s lawyer, ordering the immediately stop uttering the word during the show ... which he uses to bid on seized storage units.
Trey (real name: Tremaine Neverson) is also requesting that Hester stop selling merchandising that showcases the word as well.
In response, Hester filed a suit, arguing that he using the term in a distinct different way.
In court docs, Hester claims Songz’ version “resembles an animal-like or non-human squeal which begins with a distinct ‘yeeee’ sound before finishing with a squeal-like ‘uuuup’ sound,” which would make it “distinct and different from Hester’s more monosyllabic sounding guttural auction bidding phrase ... which is meant to convey the meaning of ‘yes.’ ”
Hester’s suit seeks unspecified damages and a court order barring Songz from “interfering” with his use of “YUUUP!”, which he trademarked in September.
