Judge Tackles “Satan Shoes” in a Trademark Showdown
New York, – In a courtroom drama that could rival any blockbuster film, a federal judge decided to put the brakes on a Brooklyn‑based company that was trying to sneak devil‑styled kicks onto the market. The court chose to side with Nike and ordered MSCHF Product Studio Inc to halt further sales of its infamous “Satan Shoes.”
- When it all began: Nike sued MSCHF three days after dropping a lawsuit on Monday claiming the shoes—black, red and dripping with dough (well, a drop of actual blood) and emblazoned with the iconic swoosh—were infringing its trademarks.
- The shoes themselves: These aren’t your average Air Max 97s. Each pair sports a single drop of human blood in the midsole and a chilling biblical quote: “Luke 10:18” which hints at Satan’s fall from grace.
- Limited edition gremlin glam: Only 666 pairs were produced, each selling for a cool $1,018 (roughly SG$1,368.50). Legend says Lil Nas X was supposed to decide which lucky soul gets the final pair—until the lawsuit put the plan on hold.
- MSCHF’s stance: The company insists these are not ordinary sneakers but “individually-numbered works of art,” a claim dating back to their 2019 “Jesus Shoes.” They argue that the order is overkill since buyers don’t see Nike involved.
- Nike’s counter: Their lawyers warned that even “sneakerheads” can get confused by MSCHF’s gimmicks, citing a history of fast‑track shipments that skirted legal boundaries.
- Future expectations: Both sides said they’re looking forward to a prompt resolution, with MSCHF expressing confidence in freedom of expression and willingness to collaborate.
Meanwhile, Lil Nas X is quietly juggling the fallout from a devil‑themed video for his hit “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” For now, the saga of the €666‑priced satanic sneakers stays locked up, illustrating that the battle over branding can be as intense as a high‑speed gang‑rap showdown.
