Kanye West sues College Dropout burger joint in Melbourne as restaurant fights back at rapper

Kanye West is refusing to drop his legal battle against a Melbourne burger chain over claims the restaurant and its food names were taken from his album and songs without his permission.

The artist filed a federal lawsuit against College Dropout Burgers on Upper Heidelberg Rd in Ivanhoe in October.

In the 43-page document, West’s lawyers demanded College Dropout owner Mark Elkhouri “withdraw his Australian trademark application for College Dropout Burgers, destroy any material referencing Ye or his brand and pay his costs.” .

West originally sent a cease and desist to the burger joint in June after learning of the similarities.

West took issue with the restaurant’s name, as it is the same one used on his first album, and complained about the titles of various menu items.

Elkhouri has always insisted that his business made it clear that the restaurant was not associated with the artist.

Kanye West has taken a Melbourne burger chain to court over claims that the names of its restaurants and food were taken from his album and songs without his permission.

The artist filed a federal lawsuit against College Dropout Burgers on Upper Heidelberg Rd in Ivanhoe in October (pictured, the restaurant has since changed its logo)

‘Gold Digger’ and ‘Good Morning’ were among some of the hamburger meals that had the same name as West-produced songs.

A mural of West was also painted on the store front, while the restaurant’s old logo was inspired by his ‘defector bear’ design.

Elkhouri filed a defense in November claiming there were clear disclaimers on the website that West had no association with the restaurant.

“We have no association with Ye (formerly known as @kanyewest),” the disclaimer read.

‘The College Dropout BurgersTM name references both Ye’s first album and our origins as a company that started on a college campus here in Melbourne.

We are fans of Ye (FKA Kanye West) and his work. We pay homage to him with the names of some of our dishes, but of course he has no connection to our business.’

The previous menu, which has since been changed, by College Dropout Burgers after receiving the cease and desist letter in June.

Business owner Mark Elkhouri has insisted that his business made it clear that the restaurant was not associated with the artist.

The burger joint opened in May 2021 and received a cease and desist letter from West in June 2022.

Elkhouri painted over West’s mural, changed the names of the burgers, and changed the store’s logo.

He kept the name of the restaurant as it was also a tribute to himself due to dropping out of college (or university) to start the business.

The restaurant continues to serve food named after other well-known college dropouts such as Mark Zuckerburg, Brad Pitt, and Bill Gates.

West wants to file an injunction that will prevent the restaurant from claiming to have the artist’s approval.

“Gold Digger” and “Good Morning” were among the hamburger meals that had the same name as West-produced songs.