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A Brooklyn art collective that modified Nike Air Mas 97s into 666 “Satan Shoes” as a part of a collaboration with a singer is now asking consumers to return the shoes as part of a settlement agreement with the apparel giant over claims of trademark infringement.
The shoes were made by MSCHF art collective reportedly collaborated with singer Lil Nas in the endeavor to publicize his new song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” MSCHF sold all but one pair of the shoes that were made from modified Air Max 97s for more than $1,000 each, reports CNN. The shoes reportedly sold out in one second after they were released, with one pair held by Lil Nas to give away on social media.
The Nike Satan shoes are black and red. They are reportedly covered with occult symbols and contain a drop of human blood.
MSCHF quickly drew legal action from Nike after releasing the shoes. The company reportedly claimed in its lawsuit that the art collective had violated its trademark, pointing out that the shoes retained the Nike “swoosh.”
“Decisions about what products to put the SWOOSH on belong to Nike, not to third parties like MSCHF,” argued the company in its lawsuit which also claimed that the Satan shoe would dilute the market and confuse customers.
MSCHF reportedly counterclaimed that the shoes, which sold for $1,018 each and grossing an estimated $676,970 for the collective, were individual works of art protected by the First Amendment. The collective also fought Nike’s demand for a temporary restraining order on the sale and distribution of the shoes, pointing out that all but one pair had been sold and shipped.
Nike was granted a temporary restraining order over the distribution of the shoes last week, reports CNN. Since, the parties have agreed to settle the dispute, with MSCHF recalling the Satan Shoes and offering customers a full refund, according to BBC News.
“MSCHF intended to comment on the absurdity of the collaboration culture practiced by some brands, and about the perniciousness of intolerance,” an attorney representing the art collective reportedly said in a statement issued after the settlement was reached. He went on to notes that MSCHF’s message was “dramatically amplified” by the legal action and that the art collective was “pleased to have resolved the lawsuit.”
This is not the first time the art collective has used Nike shoes as a base. In 2019, MSCHF reportedly used the same shoe to create “Jesus Shoes”; however, Nike did not pursue legal action over those pairs, which featured a crucifix and “holy water” from the Jordan River.
“Nike had nothing to do with the Satan Shoes or the Jesus Shoes,” the company said in a recent statement. “Purchasers who choose not to return their shoes and later encounter a product issue, defect, or health concern should contact MSCHF, not Nike.”
While Nike chalked up a win over the Brooklyn art collective, the activewear giant faces legal action of its own after construction workers reportedly filed a lawsuit and more than $100 million in liens this week over allegedly unpaid bills after making upgrades to its Oregon headquarters.
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