A federal judge has granted Nike a temporary restraining order against an ‘art collective’ who released an unauthorized line of the company’s sneakers featuring ‘satanic-themed detailing.’
The Brooklyn-based collective, MSCHF, partnered with rapper Lil Nas X to release 666 pairs of the so-called ‘Satan Shoes’ earlier this week.
The sneakers are revamped Nike Air Max 97s decorated with a pentagram pendant and an embroidered 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 claimed he and his co-workers provided themselves.
The customized kicks cost a whopping $1,018 per pair and sold out in minutes following their release on Monday. But, just hours after the release, Nike hit back filing a federal lawsuit claiming trademark infringement.
In a legal filing, the company claimed the shoes were ‘done without Nike’s approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project.’
On Wednesday, a judge granted Nike a temporary restraining order, halting the sneakers from being shipped. However, all almost all pairs of the shoes have already been sent out to buyers, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Nike suspects some of the sneakers were hipped after their lawsuit was filed Monday. The judge has not issued a recall at this stage.
A federal judge has granted Nike a temporary restraining order against an ‘art collective’ who released an unauthorized line of the company’s sneakers featuring ‘satanic-themed detailing.’ The Brooklyn-based collective, MSCHF, partnered with rapper Lil Nas X to release 666 pairs of the so-called ‘Satan Shoes’ earlier this week
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
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
In its lawsuit, Nike stated: ‘Decisions about what products to put the ‘swoosh’ on belong to Nike, not to third parties like MSCHF.
Nike requests that the court immediately and permanently stop MSCHF from fulfilling all orders for its unauthorized Satan Shoes.’
Nike asked asked the judge to order the destruction of the shoes and award the sports retailer any profits earned by MSCHF from the sales.
A hearing to consider a longer-lasting preliminary injunctive will not be set for a future date.
Meanwhile, the sportswear giant has also released a statement saying: ”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.’
However, MSCHF claims it was not trademark infringement because the shoes are not intended to be work as regular Nike.
Lawyers from the collective stated that the Satan Shoes are ‘not typical sneakers, but rather individually-numbered works of art that were sold to collectors for $1,018 each.’
The shoes are decorated with a pentagram pendant and a reference to a Bible verse about Satan’s fall from heaven
News of the Satan Shoes drew outrage from Christians on social media over the Palm Sunday weekend
While Nike’s gripe was trademark infringement, and not specific issues with the anti-Christian messaging of the footwear, they also noted social media criticism of the ‘Satan Shoes’ that could affect their brand.
The lawsuit social media criticism of Nike as a result of the shoes, including one social media post saying, ‘Won’t buy Nike again.’
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.
Following news of Nike’s trademark infringement suit on Monday, Lil Nas X posted his own tweet showing a clip of a cartoon character panhandling in a cardboard box with a note saying, ‘me after the nike lawsuit.’
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
Following news of Nike’s trademark infringement suit on Monday, Lil Nas X posted his own tweet showing a clip of a cartoon character panhandling in a cardboard box with a note saying, ‘me after the nike lawsuit’
