LeBron James and Drake are being sued for allegedly stealing the "intellectual property rights" to "Black Ice," a film about the old hockey league for Black players in Canada.

Former NBA Players Association head and federal prosecutor Billy Hunter says in his complaint that he holds the exclusive legal rights to produce any film about the league.

Hunter alleges in the $10-million lawsuit that James, Drake and their entertainment companies entered an agreement with the authors of the book "Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes" behind his back, TMZ reported.

He also claims that the authors, George and Darril Fosty, who are also listed as defendants in the suit, have violated their deal that gives him the exclusive rights to produce a film out of their novel.

"While the defendants LeBron James, Drake and Maverick Carter are internationally known and renowned in their respective fields of basketball and music, it does not afford them the right to steal another's intellectual property," Hunter says in the lawsuit, as per the outlet.

He adds that when he was informed that James, through his production company Springhill, was looking to obtain the rights to produce a documentary based on the Fostys' novel, he "unequivocally stated" that it was his passion project and had no interest in selling his exclusive rights to anyone else. However, the deal pushed through and James sought additional backing from Drake's entertainment company, Dreamcrew Entertainment, which he co-owns with rapper Future.

Hunter, who paid both George and Darril $250,000 to gain exclusive rights to their novel, is now seeking a share of profits from the documentary and $10 million in damages, according to the New York Post.

"I don't think they believed the property rights would be litigated," Hunter told the outlet. "They thought I would go away. They gambled."

Hunter's lawyer, Larry Hutcher, reportedly said it was "highly ironic" of James and Drake to be "so cavalier" to the point of stealing intellectual property rights when they have their own brands that they cherish so much.

Directed by Hubert Davis, "Black Ice" is set to be showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10.

Cast member LeBron James attends a premiere for the film "Hustle" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 1, 2022.
Cast member LeBron James attends a premiere for the film "Hustle" in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 1, 2022. Reuters / MARIO ANZUONI
Lawsuit