Nike sues MSCHF for Lil Nas X's 'Satan Shoes' with drops of human blood

UPDATE 30.03.21: Nike sued MSCHF for trademark infringement, false designation of origin, trademark dilution and unfair competition after the huge attention that Lil Nas X's Satan Shoes attracted the attention of the online world. The reason for the dispute, however, lies not in the diabolical-themed remake of the sneaker but in the improper use of Nike trademarks that would create an "erroneous association" between the products of MSCHF and the Beaverton brand. The request from Nike is twofold: firstly, MSCHF will have to stop offering and selling products with nike branding or associated with the brand; and secondly, it requires MSCHF to hand over to Nike all the profits from Satan Shoes sales along with compensation equal to three times the damage and increased profitability. 

 

 

29.03.21: With the release of his latest video, MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name), rapper and singer Lil Nas X has sparked a lot of controversy. To be criticized, in addition to the setting and the lap dance that Lil Nas does on the throne of the Devil, were a pair of shoes created for the occasion in collaboration with MSCHF.

The so-called "Satan Shoes" are in fact a work of the New York collective MSCHF, which became famous for the Nike Air Max 97 filled with holy water and for the Birkenstocks made with parts of Hermès bags. The collective returned to work on a pair of Nike Air Max 97, this time decorated with a bronze-coloured pentagram, a reverse cross and a drop of human blood. The members of the collective, who said they're ready to sacrifice themselves for their art, in fact, decided to each donate a small drop of blood, which was then inserted into the sneaker midsole along with red ink. The sneaker will be limited to only 666 pairs, each priced at $ 1,018, a reference to a passage from the Bible that reads "I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning", from the Gospel of Luke, 10, 18. 

 

 

Nike promptly distanced itself from the creation, emphasizing that it has no connection with Lil Nas or with MSCHF, also specifying that it has no intention of recognizing the existence of these sneakers. As expected, the sneaker - and the video connected to them - have sparked heated controversies and accusations, especially within Christian groups and among the leaders of the American Evangelical Church. Yesterday Lil Nas X posted a YouTube video titled Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe, which has now reached nearly 3 million views, which begins with the rapper about to apologize, only to then cut to a series of scenes from the offending video and that they see Lil Nas dancing with the Devil again. 

 

 

The "Satan Shoes" by MSCHF x Lil Nas X will be available from today on the MSCHF app.