Ross, who famously constructed his stage name from the real-life former drug dealer turned kingpin “Freeway” Ricky Ross, is free to use the name as per a decision from California Judge Roger Boren.
“Freeway” Ricky Ross, whose original life in prison sentence was eventually reduced following a separate appeal, was released from prison more than four years ago in 2009. Ross’ original suit against the MMG rapper was denied on the basis that the former drug dealer did not make his case soon enough after discovering the alternate use of his name. That original suit was thrown out under the legal purview of the so-called “single publication” law.
Despite an appeals court Judge granting “Freeway” Ross the right to an appeal—in effect undermining the previous ruling on the grounds of “single publication” protection—the latest ruling finds that the rapper is protected by his First Amendment rights.
The latest ruling relies on a distinction between the use of “raw materials” and the “sum and substance” of a piece of work. In essence, the decision hinges on the view that Ross’ use of the stage name accounts to the usage of a “raw material” and that he is not acting solely as an imposter.