California Court Allows Snoop Dogg’s Suit Against Pabst to Continue

A California state court has reportedly rejected Pabst Brewing Co.’s attempt
to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Snoop Dogg asserting the rapper is entitled
to a portion of the proceeds obtained through the $700 million sale of the
company in 2014. Spanky’s Clothing Inc. v. Pabst Brewing Co. LLC, No.
BC584365 (Cal. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cnty., rulings issued February 24,
2016).

In the June 2015 complaint, the rapper argued that through a phantom
equity clause in his three-year deal to endorse Blast by Colt 45®, a line of
fruit-flavored alcohol beverages, he is owed part of the sale price realized by
Pabst stockholders. The parties reportedly disputed over whether the court
should take judicial notice of the securities sale agreement, but the court
found that considering it was inappropriate at this stage of the litigation and
denied the motions to dismiss the case. See Law360, February 24, 2016.

Issue 595