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*Jill Scott is being sued by a Philadelphia freelance writer and former Daily News reporter who claims the Grammy-winning singer stole his idea to turn her song lyrics into Hallmark greeting cards.
Mister Mann Frisby, an author and motivational speaker, claims he pitched the concept to Scott more than 10 years ago. She was enthusiastic about the idea and promised to split any profits “50-50” with her former friend, but only if Frisby could secure a deal, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.
Frisby said it was his job to choose appropriate lyrics and prepare marketing and promotional materials. But as Scott’s fame began to rocket, she “unilaterally put Frisby’s activities ‘on hold’ ” while she pursued her acting projects, the lawsuit alleges.
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In January 2017, Scott announced she was launching her own Hallmark Mahogany greeting-card line featuring lyrics from 20 of her songs.
Scott said she was inspired by Maya Angelou to “create cards I felt represented things a sista would say,” she told the Associated Press.
Hallmark had approached her about partnering with the company five years prior, she said, “but it wasn’t until last year both parties met and she displayed her idea,” the Associated Press wrote.
Eight months after the launch, Frisby discovered Scott “had concealed her actions” and had proceeded without him, his lawsuit says.
He fells Scott breached her oral agreement with him by “falsely stating” she was putting the deal on hold, circumventing him, and securing the Hallmark deal without telling him, per philly.com.
Frisby is reportedly demanding 50 percent of Scott’s greeting-card profits and more than $50,000 in damages.
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