Nike had sued the maker of a devil-themed sneaker promoted by rapper Lil Nas X for trademark infringement.
Nike Inc says a Brooklyn company that created “Satan Shoes” in partnership with rapper Lil Nas X has agreed to voluntarily recall the footwear as part of a legal settlement with the athletics giant.
The settlement with MSCHF Product Studio Inc resolves a trademark infringement lawsuit brought by Nike last week over the black and red devil-themed sneakers, which bear the Nike ‘swoosh’ logo and quickly sold out for $ 1,018 a pair.
Satan Shoes are modified versions of the Nike Air Max 97 sneakers, with midsoles claiming to contain a drop of human blood and imprinted with “Luke 10:18,” a reference to a Bible verse referring to Satan’s fall from heaven.
Only 666 pairs were made, with the last being held back so Lil Nas X, known for the song Old Town Road, could choose the receiver.
Nike said MSCHF will offer full refunds to buyers of the Satan Shoes and Jesus Shoes, which launched in 2019 and are also based on the Air Max 97, “to get them out of circulation.”
However, limited edition shoes can earn premium prices from collectors, and those who get a refund can miss out on a price hike.
‘Dramatically enhanced’
David Bernstein, who chairs the intellectual property rights group at Debevoise & Plimpton and represents MSCHF, said the artistic messages MSCHF hoped the shoes would convey were “dramatically enhanced” by the Nike lawsuit.
“MSCHF planned to comment on the absurdity of the collaborative culture practiced by some brands, and the pernicious nature of intolerance,” he said. “Now that it has achieved its artistic goal, MSCHF is pleased to have resolved the lawsuit.”
Lil Nas X was not a defendant, and he never got to choose who received the last pair after a Brooklyn judge temporarily halted the sale on April 1.
Nike had claimed that even “sneakerheads” were confused about who produced Satan Shoes, while MSCHF said the shoes were “individually numbered works of art” and created no confusion.
In March, Lil Nas X released a devil-themed video for his song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”.