Renowned multinational footwear maker Nike, has sued MSCHF, a Brooklyn-based streetwear company, for making pairs of trainers tagged “satan shoes” containing a drop of human blood with its Swoosh signature design.
MSCHF released 666 pairs of shoes in collaboration with Lil Nas X, US rapper, and also announced that it has sold out.
Nike is claiming trademark infringement after the $1,018 trainers featuring an inverted cross, a pentagram, and the inscription “Luke 10:18”, were made using its modified Nike Air Max 97s.
The lawsuit was filed with the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
Nike had stated that it did not approve or authorise the customised “Satan Shoes.”
Nike is asking the US court to stop MSCHF from selling the shoes and using its famous Swoosh design mark.
The footwear maker is stating that significant confusion has followed the launch of the new “satan shoe”.
In a released statement the management of multinational footwear maker said “MSCHF and its unauthorised “satan shoes” are likely to cause confusion and dilution and create an erroneous association between MSCHF’s products and Nike.”
It further stated that “In fact, there is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace.”
This includes “calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes, based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorised or approved this product.”
Reports have it that, each pair of the “satan shoes” features a signature Nike air bubble cushioning sole, containing 60 cubic centimetres (2.03 fluid ounces) of red ink and a drop of human blood said to have been donated by members of the collective.
