Hip-hop sensation Soulja Boy has been sued by a man claiming he first created and used the stage name 'souljah Boy'.

Relatively unknown rapper Willie Lyons has begun legal proceedings against the Crank That star - real name DeAndre Way - for trademark infringement of his alias.

U.s. gossip blogger Perez Hilton has published a letter from a legal representative for Lyons, which reads, "I am writing on behalf of the law firm of Alexander, Odunze + Kang Llp to give you a heads up re: the attached complaint, which was filed in federal court this afternoon on behalf of Willie Lyons (professionally known as) Souljah Boy.

"By way of background (and as you may already know), Mr. Lyons, known in commerce as Souljah Boy for over twelve years, is suing artist Soulja Boy (birth name: DeAndre Way), his record label, attorney + manager in connection with his blatant infringement of Mr. Lyons' trademark."

Soulja Boy has yet to respond to the claims.