Athletic clothing superpower Nike has streetwear designer MSCHF over its appropriation of Nike Air Max 97s for use as its “Satan Shoes,” a limited edition sneaker with a drop of human blood inside the sole designed in association with Rapper Lil Nas X, NBC News reports.
The sneaker is decorated with a pentagram medallion and a graphic for the Gospel verse Luke 10:18, which describes Satan’s fall from Heaven: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
MSCHF made 666 pairs of the edition, selling for $1,018 each, in coordination with the release of a new single from the rapper.
Nike filed the lawsuit because its sneakers were used without permission and the distinctive Nike “swoosh” logo has been prominently used in advertising for the shoes.
“In fact, there is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorized or approved this product,” the lawsuit stated.