https://www.businessinsider.com/nike-lil-nas-x-satan-blood-shoe-mschf-lawsuit-2021-3
Hi all,
You likely recall the artist Lil Nas X’s record-setting run atop the “Billboard Hot 100”, where his song “Old Town Road” stayed in the #1 spot for 17 straight weeks (overtaking Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” and Mariah Carey’s “One Sweet Day”, both of which held the #1 spot for 16 weeks).
You may also have heard of the recent controversy surrounding Lil Nas X and the recent music video for his song “Montero”. In this video, Lil Nas X (quite literally) “dances with the devil”, which has resulted in backlash amongst certain groups.
Never one to be shy away from criticism, Lil Nas X announced a collaboration with the New York-based art collective MSCHF, and their new “Satan shoe”. The shoe was made using Nike Air Max 97s, and contains a bronze pentagram, an inverted cross and a drop of real human blood. More can be read on the $1,018 pair of shoes in this CNN report: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lil-nas-x-mschf-satan-nike-shoes/index.html
Despite the use of the Nike Air Max 97, Nike immediately denied any involvement with either Lil Nas X or MSCHF. Now, Nike is suing MSCHF for copyright infringement regarding the unauthorized use of the Nike “Swoosh” on the shoe. Nike claims customers have called to boycott the company over MSCHF’s shoe; as the article highlights, former NBA player Nick Young (who presumably was also duped into believing Nike had released this shoe) tweeted saying he’s “debating” about whether he will wear Nike again after seeing the Satan shoe.
Interested to see where the story goes from here!
Mark
Communications Law