Audio By Carbonatix
Nike has won a bid to temporarily stop a company selling a customised version of its Air Max trainers dubbed "Satan shoes".
The Air Max 97s were given a controversial spin by art brand MSCHF and produced in collaboration with rapper Lil Nas X.
They featured a pentagram design and each shoe was said to contain a drop of human blood in the sole.
Biblical passage Luke 10:18 - about Satan's fall from heaven - also features on the shoe.
Nike sued over copyright infringement because the black and red trainers feature its famous "swoosh" logo. It said the shoe created "an erroneous association between MSCHF's products and Nike".
MSCHF x Lil Nas X "Satan Shoes" 🏹
— SAINT (@saint) March 26, 2021
👟Nike Air Max '97
🩸Contains 60cc ink and 1 drop of human blood
🗡️666 Pairs, individually numbered
💰$1,018
🗓️March 29th, 2021 pic.twitter.com/XUMA9TKGSX
A federal judge in Brooklyn, New York, agreed on Thursday that the shoes breached the company's trademark.
MSCHF said it "strongly believes in the freedom of expression" and hoped to work with Nike and the court to resolve the matter.
Its lawyers had argued the trainers were "not typical sneakers, but rather individually-numbered works of art", and followed its "Jesus Shoes" based on the same Air Max model in 2019.
Nike's lawyers said "even 'sneakerheads' were actually confused by MSCHF's shoes" and that the company had a history of selling shoes faster than courts could stop them.
The entire stock of 666 pairs has already sold out - despite costing $1,018 (£735).
MSCHF said the restraining order was unnecessary as they did not plan to make any more.
Old Town Road star Lil Nas X was set to pick who got the 666th pair but that plan was scrapped when Nike decided to sue on Monday.
The rapper has tweeted a series of memes mocking the lawsuit.
Latest Stories
-
31 granted bail over illegal mining in Apramprama forest reserve
20 minutes -
Son of Iran’s exiled late monarch urges supporters to replace embassy flags
27 minutes -
Gold Empire Resources applauds gov’t crackdown on illegal mining; calls for prosecution of financiers and sponsors
29 minutes -
Western North NPP raises alarm over cocoa sector neglect, cites lack of funds and jute sacks
45 minutes -
Government still owes IPPs over $700m in legacy debt — JoyNews Research
46 minutes -
Charge Ofori-Atta and stop the public commentary – Frank Davies tells AG
1 hour -
NPP race: Massive turnout in Gushegu as delegates endorse Bawumia
1 hour -
Ashaiman traders protest main market redevelopment, fear losing stalls and livelihoods
1 hour -
Daily Insight for CEOs: The CEO’s role in strengthening goal setting and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) across the Organisation
1 hour -
Protect it, fix inefficiencies: BoG Governor on Gold-for-Reserves
1 hour -
Ghana to host 2026 Africa Aquatics Championships in May
1 hour -
IGP and Management Board tour police recruitment centres in Greater Accra to assess process
2 hours -
BoG pushes back on IMF claims, says FX reforms are fixing not creating problems
2 hours -
Stability came at a cost – BoG defends billions lost in Domestic Gold Purchase Programme
2 hours -
Ofori-Atta’s lawyer slams AG over public disclosure of ‘inconclusive’ offshore probe
2 hours
