Sports clothing giant Nike has followed up its condemnation of the Lil Nas X Satan sneakers with a lawsuit. It’s claiming trademark infringement.
The legal action was filed yesterday in the Eastern District of New York against the Brooklyn-based fashion company MSCHF Product Studio Inc, reports Portland Business Journal.
Among other products, MSCHF specializes in customizing sneakers and then re-selling them, often at a greatly increased price. It has previously produced a pair of ‘Jesus Shoes’ that allegedly had a drop of ‘Holy Water’ in their sole, taken from the River Jordan and blessed by a priest.
On Friday, Lil Nas X released his eagerly-awaited new single, ‘MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)’. The video features him as an angelic figure, cast out of Heaven, sliding down a pole into Hell, and then lap-dancing for Satan.
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Related: Lil Nas X’s dad gives his reaction to the ‘MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)’ video
The video has prompted a wave of criticism from some evangelical Christians and right-wing lawmakers and commentators.
Over the weekend, Lil Nas X revealed he’d collaborated up with MSCHF on a limited-edition, customized Nike Air Max 97.
The shoes feature Satanic-inspired details, like a pentagram brooch, and a reference to a Biblical quote about Satan being cast out of Heaven: Luke 10:18 (“He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’”).
The shoes also reportedly contain a drop of human blood in their sole, courtesy of MSCHF co-founder Daniel Greenberg and some other staffers, according to Complex.
The shoes were limited to only 666 pairs (that being mentioned as the number of the beast in the Bible). They were on sale for $1,018 (another reference to Luke 10:18). Yesterday, Lil Nas X revealed that shoes sold out in less than one minute.
On social media, some have blasted Nike for the shoes and called for a boycott of the company. This led to Nike issuing a statement yesterday saying they did not authorize them and had nothing to do with their production.
BREAKING: Nike is suing MSCHF over the @LilNasX “Satan Shoes” for copyright infringement and dilution. pic.twitter.com/lEL6DIVyOD
— SAINT (@saint) March 29, 2021
“Nike filed a trademark infringement and dilution complaint against MSCHF today related to the Satan Shoes,” the brand said. “We don’t have any further details to share on pending legal matters. However, we can tell you we do not have a relationship with Lil Nas X or MSCHF. The Satan Shoes were produced without Nike’s approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project.”
Nike has asked a federal judge to order the destruction of all the shoes and award any profits MSCHF makes from the sneakers to Nike. It is also seeking punitive damages.
Related: Nike wants you to know they did NOT put human blood in Lil Nas X’s “Satan Shoes”
Lil Nas X previously told Complex that his video was inspired by the way he had been demonized in the past because of his sexuality. The rapper came out as gay in 2019 while his hugely-successful ‘Old Town Road’ was at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
“People already demonize who I am and put me in a painting of, ‘OK, he’s evil, he’s doing this, he’s doing that. So it’s like, you know what? You know what? I’ll take that, I’ll be that, and I’m going to make the best of it.”
In a tweet over the weekend, Lik Nas X responded to some of the criticism he was getting from some religious folk.
i spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the shit y’all preached would happen to me because i was gay. so i hope u are mad, stay mad, feel the same anger you teach us to have towards ourselves.
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 27, 2021
He posted a series of tweets yesterday evening that suggested he wasn’t particularly fazed by news of the Nike lawsuit against MSCHF.
me after the nike lawsuit pic.twitter.com/XVLjHlSrru
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 29, 2021
me at nike headquarters tomorrow pic.twitter.com/iAAdjc8Ele
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 29, 2021
me and satan on the way to nike headquarters pic.twitter.com/3OaQV6pu83
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) March 30, 2021
Chrisk
This is beautiful. Let Nike and the dumb Evangelicals do the promotion for you. It’s how Madonna got started.
whatsaywhat
100% this is a page ripped straight out of Madonna’s playbook. Pepsi fired her for kissing a black saint and showing some burning crosses in her video (real America lost its collective sh*t, she kept the check).
She’s been condemned by Christ enthusiasts again and again and again – all the way up to the old pope johnpaul II. It’s been great for business.
val_el
So when Nike stole the Native Panamanian Molas and used it on their “Puerto Rican Sneakers” they were the innocent victims and were upset they had to destroy them all and refused to pay.
I feel no pitty for them they insulted not only the Native Panamanian population (Gunas) , but also the Puerto Rican Natives (Tainos) and now wants to go all offended because religious nut jobs.
jayceecook
I’m not a legal expert but I would assume Nike doesn’t really have a case. These were sold as art pieces. MSCHF wasn’t claiming to be a reseller of Nike shoes. I’m pretty sure this would fall under transformative art which has been protected by the courts before.
If Nike were to win this would potentially set up a dangerous precedent for people who sell their used clothing as well and resellers. If I buy something then alter it and decide to sell it for a profit as a customized item that should be legally protected if it isn’t already.
Shame on Nike. If they were so worried about copyright infringement where was the lawsuit when MSCHF was selling the Jesus shoes?
mailliw110
I believe they are already sold out, so…….good luck with that!
Kangol2
It’s so fascinating how we in the USA are constantly preached to (pun intended) about the power and inviolability of the “free market” and “capitalism” blah blah, but when you have an artist, which Lil Nas X is, create a song that pushes the conventions, becomes a sensation, and then creates a marketing coup with a sneakers, the censors and puritans and wackjobs rend their garments, scream to the heavens, and launch lawsuits in response. Give me a break! Free market, Nike! Free speech, right-wing Christianists! Capitalism, FoxNews and dizzy conservative politicians! It almost sounds like they’re all trying to engage in…#cancelculture!
Lil Nas X is only 21, but he sure knows how to generate excitement and controversy. Good for him. NIke really ought to just sit back and let this all play out. People will have forgotten by the middle or end of the year!
Margo channing
Good job! You told that person totally off. I love it. I will say I’m fascinated with the new generation. The song is Catchy for sure. I’ll stay in my Lane with Diana Ross and Barbra Streisand and Cher and Dolly.
whateverokok
Little Nas X is not an artist. That guy could not write a credible song to save his life. He’s got about as much artistic talent as William Hung. Artist?! HA! PLEASE! I’ve crapped more artistic stuff than this jerkwad. Just because he’s gay doesn’t mean he’s an artist. Put your tongue back in your pants.
RickHeathen
If Satan actually existed, he would love the evangelicals.
Mister P
God bless Li’l Nas X.
whateverokok
God didn’t bless anything about Little Nas X. In fact, when Little Nas X was in line for approval and blessing from God, God took one look and said no. The angel in charge felt so bad, he let Little Nas pass through anyway.
missvamp
f this company. they charged 4k for a pair of fake nike jesus shoes with “holy” water from the jordan river in them last year. i saw that article elsewhere. they deserve to be sued by nike. this whole thing is exposing the company for who they are- a knock off house.
Inspector 57
missvamp, have you never seen the omnipresent ads for Grammarly? Check ’em out.
justgeo
Yeh well keep the hate going round and round for profit??????
scotty
nice grille
Jerrspero
NIKE is a toxic cesspit: I live in Eugene, Oregon, where they’ve tainted everything they touch. They hired Kap as a publicity stunt, not because they endorsed his message, and their shit is made in sweatshops. They are hella unethical money-grubbing a-holes. HOPE THEY LOSE BIG TIME.
whateverokok
“eagerly-awaited new single”? What the he– was the Queerty writer smoking when he wrote this. NO ONE is eagerly awaiting anything from this low rent never was. If they are eagerly awaiting anything from this boob, it’s for him to shut up and get a job he may actually be skilled at. I am amazed at the amount of crap people will take and listen to. Da– sheep.
Terrycloth
He got lucky with his first song.a novelty song..he is as talented a pet rock , or any other 15 minute fad at the moment.so he made ugly shoes people are now talking about him. Thats keeping his name in headlines. His talent as a singer / rapper is over hope he saved his money