Duke Ellington's estate upset over liquor brand.

Duke Ellington’s grandson has filed a federal lawsuit in New York against the makers of a liquor brand which he says illegally uses the jazz musicians name.

Edward K. Ellington II clams no one had the rights to promote Duke Ellington XO Cognac in 2006.

He admits the beverage firm behind the cognac attempted to negotiate with the estate, but he insists, “No agreement was ever reached between the parties.”

The Ellington estate has called for the cognac company to stop selling the product, and the legend’s grandson wants the profits earned.