Lil Nas X's Satan Shoes have now sparked a lawsuit from Nike
Nike is headed to court as it attempts to make clear it's not, in fact, selling sneakers containing human blood.
The company has filed a lawsuit against MSCHF Product Studio for trademark infringement after MSCHF teamed up with Lil Nas X to sell modified Nike sneakers called "Satan Shoes," CNN reports. A total of 666 pairs of these sneakers, which contain a drop of actual human blood in the sole and feature a pentagram pendant, were sold on Monday following the rapper's new music video, which depicts him going to hell and giving Satan a lap dance.
Previously, Nike tried to distance itself from the "Satan Shoes," noting it does "not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF" and that it "did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them." But Nike is now going further, in its lawsuit complaining that since the shoes were announced, "Nike has suffered significant harm to its goodwill, including among consumers who believe that Nike is endorsing satanism."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
MSCHF, which previously sold modified Nike sneakers as "Jesus Shoes," had noted to The New York Times that Nike wasn't involved in the making of the shoes in "any capacity." But Nike in its complaint says it's been facing calls for boycotts on social media despite its lack of involvement in the shoes. According to CNN, though, Lil Nas X himself wasn't named in the lawsuit.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
4 tips for hosting an ecofriendly Thanksgiving
The Week Recommends Coming together for the holidays typically produces a ton of waste, but with proper preparation, you can have an environmentally friendly gathering.
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
What might happen if Trump eliminates the Department Of Education?
Today's Big Question The president-elect says the federal education agency is on the chopping block
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published