Eddie Van Halen Sues Nike Over Signature Sneakers
A rock giant is suing a shoe giant.
Last April, Eddie Van Halen launched his “Frankenstein” sneakers titled EVH Brand Signature Striped Sneakers in partnership with New Jersey-based FEA Merchandising, a company specializing in recording-artist merchandise. The sneaker is based upon the design on his legendary early 80’s Frankestein guitars.
But just a couple of months after launching the shoes, reps for ELVH Inc., Van Halen’s company, filed a cause of action for copyright infringement in Los Angeles Federal District Court against sneaker giant, Nike. ELVH alleges that a certain Nike Dunk Low design style, infringes the copyright of the red-white-and-black pattern popularized by Van Halen on his “Frankenstein” guitar. Eddie Van Halen has held the copyright of the design since 2001.
Van Halen’s lawyers said they had no comment and would prefer to try cases in court, although their demands, as reported by WWD, are pretty clear:
Citing “irreparable harm and damage”, ELVH is asking for impoundment and destruction of all the shoes in question, as well as profits from the sale of the shoes and damages.
Reps of Nike stated:
“Based on the information provided to us, we have not infringed on any rights held by Mr. Van Halen. Nike’s Dunk shoe design is not substantially similar to any of the Van Halen designs, and Nike has not referenced the ‘Van Halen’ name or image as part of any marketing campaign or promotional material associated with the shoe.”
Here are the Van Halen-Nike objects in dispute.
Van Halen Frankenstein Guitar
EVH Brand Signature Striped Sneakers
Nike Dunk Low in question
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JOJO says:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:36 pm
even though the Nike shoe looks very low grade in impersonating the like style, where have they been for the last 31 years to not know that they were snagging the same color concept and stripping style, this is business after all and all the lawyers in the world can not dispute the amount of similarities, it looks like Nike set a young desinger to task and now can't admit there wrong doing ….so EVH take them to the bank and shred them to pieces for the unforgivable rip off.
tiredofegomaniacs says:
June 30th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Riiight, because the EVH shoes don't look like Chuck Taylor ripoffs.. Mr. Van Halen should stick to playing the guitar, and have his gigantic ego drained while he's at it.
Rod Trupp says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:41 am
Rip Off for sure, that's his trademark design, not only for Guitars and Shoes (his been wearing them for a long time), but also he's created Guitars and a lot of innovations to sound and Music, Come on! it's not just about a freakin' shoe, it's about a lifetime of creation and talent.
long live Ed.
RT
Rod Trupp says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:14 pm
He's got the design around for a long time, and also wearing those shoes for a while too, Nike design looks a lot like it, Ed, make 'em pay, it's not just the design its about technology, Guitar and Sound contributions of a "Mad Genius" to the world of Music.
get them Ed
Mark says:
July 19th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Nike in both name and quality are trash. The EVH sneakers on the other hand are pure gold.
VLJ says:
September 4th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Although there is a resemblance to the Van Halen Sneaker the Nike sneaker is different, Furthermore I find the claim of a color pattern patent to be quite ridiculous, Those colors and patterns can be found on quite a few thing that are well before van Halens guitar and even occur in nature.
Richard says:
September 4th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Eddie's guitar was the first thing I thought of when I saw Nike's new shoe. Get'em Eddie!