Nike sues for copyright infringement and dilution over 'Satan Shoes' collaboration with Lil Nas X


Nike filed a federal lawsuit Monday alleging trademark infringement against a company making a version of a line of Nike sneakers with customized ‘satanic-themed detailing.’

The revamped Nike Air Max 97s are an unauthorized collaboration with Lil Nas X as part of the release of a devil-themed music video for a new song by the musician, Portland Business Journal reported. 

The company, MSCHF Product Studio Inc. of Brooklyn, New York, released 666 pairs of the shoes Monday, which quickly sold out: That number is considered the ‘mark of the beast’ in the Bible.

The shoes cost $1,018 per pair and are decorated with a pentagram pendant and a reference to Luke 10:18, a Bible verse about Satan’s fall from heaven.

They also reportedly contain a drop of human blood in the sole, which MSCHF co-founder Daniel Greenberg said was provided by himself and some co-workers, industry publication Complex reported.

Musician Lil Nas X poses with his custom Satan Shoes by MSCHF, which sold out all 666 available pairs almost immediately after their release Monday -

Musician Lil Nas X poses with his custom Satan Shoes by MSCHF, which sold out all 666 available pairs almost immediately after their release Monday –

The $1,018 shoes are said to contain a drop of human blood in the sole, courtesy of MSCHF co-founder Daniel Greenberg and company staffers

The $1,018 shoes are said to contain a drop of human blood in the sole, courtesy of MSCHF co-founder Daniel Greenberg and company staffers

The shoes are decorated with a pentagram pendant and a reference to a Bible verse about Satan's fall from heaven

The shoes are decorated with a pentagram pendant and a reference to a Bible verse about Satan’s fall from heaven

Lil Nas X says the Satanic theme is meant as a response to people who demonize him. The shoe sale was timed to coincide with the release of his new single and video, which includes images of him sliding down a stripper pole to hell and dancing for the Devil

Lil Nas X says the Satanic theme is meant as a response to people who demonize him. The shoe sale was timed to coincide with the release of his new single and video, which includes images of him sliding down a stripper pole to hell and dancing for the Devil

The lawsuit filed in federal court in the Eastern District of New York claims the shoes were ‘done without Nike’s approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project.’

‘We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF,’ the company said in a statement. ‘Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them.’ 

The lawsuit notes social media criticism of Nike as a result of the shoes, including one social media post saying, ‘Won’t buy Nike again.’

News of the Satan Shoes drew outrage from Christians on social media over the Palm Sunday weekend

News of the Satan Shoes drew outrage from Christians on social media over the Palm Sunday weekend

Some critics slammed both Lil Nas X and Nike, but the sportswear company was quick to distance itself from the shoes, pointing out they are custom adaptations of existing products

Some critics slammed both Lil Nas X and Nike, but the sportswear company was quick to distance itself from the shoes, pointing out they are custom adaptations of existing products

Nike asked a federal judge to order the destruction of the shoes and award the sports retailer any profits earned by MSCHF from the sales. The sportswear company also seeks punitive damages.

In December, Nike settled a trademark infringement lawsuit against Warren Lotas and has increasingly pursued legal action against companies making knockoff versions of its shoes, according to Hypebeast.

Executive Chairman Mark Parker, left, and CEO John Donahoe of Nike. A lawsuit filed in federal court in the Eastern District of New York claims the shoes were 'done without Nike's approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project'

Executive Chairman Mark Parker, left, and CEO John Donahoe of Nike. A lawsuit filed in federal court in the Eastern District of New York claims the shoes were ‘done without Nike’s approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project’

Lil Nas X, best known for his song ‘Old Town Road,’ appeared in a video about the shoes, saying it is a ‘very fun collaboration’ with MSCHF.

‘The shoe looks amazing. Some people are going to be mad or whatever,’ he said, noting the Satanic theme is meant as a response to people who demonize him. ‘I’ll be that and I’m going to make the best of it.’

The shoes made headlines throughout the weekend, leading up to Monday’s release.

MSCHF previously released a pair of modified Nike Air Max 97s called the ‘Jesus Shoes,’ which contained what was described as holy water in the sole drawn from the River Jordan, NBC News reported.

The release of the Satan Shoes coincides with Lil Nas X’s latest single, ‘Montero (Call Me By Your Name),’ and its accompanying music video.

In the video, Lil Nas X is seduced out of what appears to be the Garden of Eden, falls into hell and gives the devil a lap dance. As of Sunday, the video had been viewed more than 29 million times since its release Friday. 

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem led conservative voices damning the rapper for his risque and irreverent religious theme in the run up to Easter. 

‘Our kids are being told that this kind of product is, not only okay, it’s ‘exclusive.’ But do you know what’s more exclusive? Their God-given eternal soul,’ Noem tweeted.

A music video that includes Lil Nas X giving the Devil a lap dance was viewed more than 29 million times after its release Friday

A music video that includes Lil Nas X giving the Devil a lap dance was viewed more than 29 million times after its release Friday

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who has said the 'soul of the nation's kids' is at stake, criticized the rapper and the shoes for the irreverent religious theme

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who has said the ‘soul of the nation’s kids’ is at stake, criticized the rapper and the shoes for the irreverent religious theme

The rapper responded with his own tweet: ‘I spent my entire teenage years hating myself because of the s*** 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.’ 

Following the news of the Nike lawsuit, the rapper posted a tweet Monday showing a clip of a cartoon character panhandling in a cardboard box with a note saying, ‘me after the nike lawsuit.’

Lil Nas X posted a cartoon clip on Twitter Monday comically predicting his future following legal action by the international sportswear retailer Nike

Lil Nas X posted a cartoon clip on Twitter Monday comically predicting his future following legal action by the international sportswear retailer Nike

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