Guitarist Eddie Van Halen filed a lawsuit against Nike in Los Angeles,
alleging the company is using his trademarked red, white and black
striped guitar design for one of their shoes. Nike's “Dunk Lows” shoes
feature red, white and black streaks along the midsole. The lawsuit
comes as Van Halen has come out with his own line of sneakers under a
similar color-scheme.
The suit, according to a report by KTLA TV in Los Angeles, states that
Van Halen received a 2001 copyright for the design on the body of his
“Frankenstein” electric guitar.
Van Halen claims Nike is doing “irreparable harm and damage” to his
signature design. He is seeking general and punitive damages, all
profits arising from the sales of “Dunk Lows” and a permanent
injunction halting production of the Nike shoes.
In mid-April, Van Halen formed a partnership with New Jersey-based FEA
Merchandising, a company specializing in recording-artist merchandise,
to release both high- and low-top canvas sneakers with red, white
and black stripes. The shoes were set to be sold at EVHgear.com, as well as select
department and specialty stores. The mens shoes are also available in
black and white as well as black and yellow.
