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A judge ruled that MSCHF must stop fulfilling orders for its “Satan Shoes” in a trademark infringement action brought by Nike.
Nike filed a temporary restraining order on Tuesday, asking the court to prevent MSCHF from issuing orders, using any Nike work and referring to Nike logos. The move is a success for MSCHF, which sold its “Satan Shoes” minutes after their launch on Monday.
MSCHF designed 666 pairs of sneakers, priced at $ 1,018, in collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X. The controversial kicks are modified Nike Air Max 97s decorated with a pentagram pendant and a reference to Luke 10: 18, a Bible verse on Satan’s fall from paradise.
MSCHF also said there was a single drop of human blood, from its own team, mixed with red ink in the soles of the sneakers.
The release of “Satan Shoes” coincides with Lil Nas X’s latest single, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”, and accompanying music video. In the video, Lil Nas X, real name Montero Lamar Hill, is seduced by what appears to be the Garden of Eden, falls into hell and gives the devil a lap dance.
Critics have denounced the shoes as “immoral” and “evil” online following news of its release on Palm Sunday weekend.
Lil Nas X championed the shoes as a single, and the video gained increased attention. The clip, which has been viewed over 50 million times since Friday, offers a metaphor for his journey to becoming an openly gay man.
Nike filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit on Monday, arguing that the shoes diluted its brand because people blamed Nike for it. Nike distanced itself from the launch of the shoes, confirming to NBC News over the weekend that it had no involvement with MSCHF or Lil Nas X.
“When the reasonable consumer sees a Nike Swoosh on a shoe or sees the NIKE word mark in the advertisement for a shoe, it is inevitable that they will believe that Nike is the source of that shoe,” the company said in a letter to the court Thursday. Morning.
“The conduct of MSCHF has caused immense confusion as to the source of the counterfeit MSCHF shoes and tarnished Nike’s trademark with an unwarranted association with Satanism.”
MSCHF argued in a letter to court on Wednesday that there was “no threat of imminent or immediate irreparable harm” justifying a temporary restraining order.
“MSCHF made it clear that the Satan Shoes were a collaboration with Lil Nas X, not Nike,” the company said in the letter, adding that its customers were “well aware of MSCHF’s approach to the art” .
Custom sneakers are a sought-after product in streetwear, adding an element of exclusivity to a person’s look. MSCHF, based in Brooklyn, New York, is known for its unusual products and viral stunts.
The company had previously released a pair of modified Nike Air Max 97s called “Jesus Shoes,” which contained what it described as holy water in its Jordan River sole.
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