Nike says the bloody Air Max 97 sneakers released by rapper Lil Nas X and MSCHF were not authorized for sale.
Lil Nas X and MSCHF launched 666 individually numbered pairs of shoes at a cost of $1,018 per shoe on Monday, March 29. The shoes reportedly sold out in under a minute.
In a lawsuit filed on Monday in New York federal court, Nike said MSCHF Product Studio, the company that partnered with the one-hit rapper, materially altered its trademarked product without permission.
The corporation was also annoyed that MSCHF used its brand to promote Satan worship.
“The material alterations include at least referring to the shoe as the Satan Shoe, adding red ink and human blood to the midsole, adding red embroidered satanic-themed detailing, adding a bronze pentagram to the laces, and adding a new sock liner.
“There is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorized or approved this product.”
Nike is suing MSCHF for trademark infringement and seeking compensatory, statutory and punitive damages, plus all of the profits in an amount to be determined.
Nike also asked the court to order that the shoes and all marketing materials be turned over to Nike for destruction.
