JAY-Z
Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Spike
A New York judge has ruled that JAY-Z must sit for a filmed deposition in a lawsuit launched against the rapper and entrepreneur by a perfume company, Billboard reports.
The lawsuit brought by Parlux alleges that JAY-Z did not promote "Gold Jay Z," a fragrance the rapper made in collaboration with the company in 2016. Parlux accuses JAY-Z of breach of contract and is seeking a return of advance payment and royalties, as well as $18 million in punitive damages.
Initially scheduled for August 27, the deposition was canceled by JAY-Z when he discovered it would be filmed. In a September 20 filing, JAY-Z's legal team pointed to how "depositions of other high-profile celebrities have been leaked" in asking for the cameras to be removed from the deposition room.
On Tuesday, however, Judge Andrew Borrok denied the motion, and set a date of Friday, October 4 for the deposition. To prevent leaks, JAY-Z's deposition will be limited to three watermarked copies. "When the parties receive their three watermarked copies together, they will destroy the original," Borrok wrote in his judgment. He also ruled that JAY-Z must pay the costs to cover the canceled August 27 deposition.
