Jelly Roll Lawsuit: Trademark, Arbour Complaints, and Divorce

The main Jelly Roll lawsuit is a 2024 federal trademark infringement case filed against the singer, whose legal name is Jason DeFord, by a Philadelphia-area wedding band that had used the name Jellyroll since 1980. That case was dismissed months later after an amicable settlement. Separately, DeFord has been the subject of police complaints by comedian Nicole Arbour, received a gubernatorial pardon for crimes from his youth, and filed for divorce in 2026.

The 2024 Trademark Infringement Lawsuit

On April 8, 2024, a Philadelphia-area wedding band called Jellyroll sued DeFord in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.¹ Founded in 1980, the band held a federal trademark for “Jellyroll” that had been registered in August 2010 and renewed in 2019.²

The complaint alleged trademark infringement, mark dilution, unfair competition, and injury to business reputation. The band argued that DeFord’s fame had effectively buried them online, with a Google search producing as many as 18 to 20 references to the country star before a single result for the band.¹ The band also pointed to DeFord’s “Beautifully Broken Tour,” which included a date at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, as bringing the conflict directly into their home market.³

According to the suit, DeFord’s team had ignored a cease-and-desist letter, and in March 2024 DeFord himself had applied for a “Jelly Roll” trademark for use on clothing.¹ His application was still pending when the case was filed; the band’s registration had been on the books for over a decade.²

How the Case Ended

The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice on July 9, 2024, roughly three months after it was filed. Both sides described the outcome as an amicable resolution.³ The settlement terms were not made public.⁴ Bandleader Kurt Titchenell said his group looked forward to “continued use of the name, Jellyroll Band, in connection with our party band business.”¹

Police Complaints From Nicole Arbour

Beginning in late 2025, comedian Nicole Arbour engaged in a public conflict with DeFord and his then-wife, Bunnie XO. In December 2025, Arbour said DeFord’s lawyers had tried to draft a joint statement declaring the parties “cool” without offering what she considered a proper apology. On February 11, 2026, according to Arbour, lawyers for DeFord and Bunnie XO sent her a confidentiality agreement, which she signed and then retracted. On Valentine’s Day 2026, she posted on X accusing DeFord of orchestrating a “hush money deal” and threatening litigation if she refused to sign, and on February 25 she posted screenshots of the alleged agreement on Instagram.⁵

On March 1, 2026, Arbour filed an incident report with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department alleging that DeFord had threatened to kill her if he saw her with a camera at a Nashville charity event, and she submitted video footage.⁶ As of April 2026, the MNPD said no charges had been filed and no investigation was underway, with a spokesperson calling the situation “an ongoing online back and forth.”⁷ A source cited by TMZ said there was “no merit” to Arbour’s account. Two Tennessee police departments that received complaints from Arbour about DeFord both declined to bring charges.⁸ DeFord has not publicly commented on the accusations. No civil suit between the two parties has been reported.

Criminal History and 2025 Tennessee Pardon

DeFord has spoken openly about a criminal record that began with an arrest at age 14, and he has said he spent much of the years between 14 and 25 in and out of jail and prison.⁹ At 17, he took part in a robbery in which two accomplices were armed; he was not, and he was sentenced to a year in prison and several years of probation. In 2008, police found marijuana and crack cocaine in his vehicle, resulting in eight years of court-ordered supervision.¹⁰

On April 22, 2025, the Tennessee Board of Parole voted unanimously to recommend DeFord for a gubernatorial pardon, a process initiated roughly a year earlier by Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall.⁹¹¹¹² DeFord said the pardon would make international travel easier for concerts and future missionary work.¹³

2026 Divorce Filing

DeFord filed for divorce from Bunnie XO in Williamson County, Tennessee, on May 18, 2026. The couple met in 2015, married in a Las Vegas courthouse in 2016, and renewed their vows in 2023.¹⁴ Sources described the split as a mutual decision and a private family matter, and the couple reportedly plans to continue co-parenting two children from previous relationships.¹⁵ As of mid-June 2026, neither party had made a public statement about the filing.

1
NBC Philadelphia. Wedding Band Jellyroll Name Lawsuit Jelly Roll
2
American Bar Association. Philly Wedding Band Jellyroll Dismisses Trademark Infringement Lawsuit Against Country Star Jelly Roll
3
People. Jelly Roll Trademark Lawsuit From Philadelphia Wedding Band Jellyroll Dismissed
4
Rolling Stone. Jellyroll Band Withdraws Trademark Lawsuit Jelly Roll
5
Parade. Jelly Roll Accused Making Death Threat Toward Comedian Nicole Arbour
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TMZ. Jelly Roll Allegedly Hurled Death Threat at Comedian
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The Tennessean. Jelly Rolls Rough Week Weight Loss Struggles Nicole Arbour Dispute
8
New York Post. Jelly Roll and Bunnie XOs Reputation at Risk From Thugs They Surround Themselves With
9
NBC News. Tennessee Board Recommends Jelly Roll Be Pardoned for Crimes Committed in Youth
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KBTX. Tennessee Governor Pardons Country Star Jelly Roll Who Has Sought Redemption Criminal Past
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Nashville Banner. Tennessee Gov Bill Lee Pardons Jelly Roll
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ABC News. Jelly Roll Receives Pardon From Tennessee Gov Bill Lee
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Fox 32 Chicago. Jelly Roll Pardoned Tennessee Gov Criminal Past
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Yahoo Entertainment. Jelly Roll Files Divorce Bunnie
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KJWL. Jelly Roll Files for Divorce From Bunnie XO After Nearly 10 Years of Marriage