Photo from www.rundmc.com
Rap group Run-DMC sued Amazon, Walmart, Jet.com, Vision World, Infinity Fashion, and SW Global Corp. for more than $50 million for trademark infringement! The group claimed that these companies were manufacturing, advertising, marketing, selling, and distributing products with the group’s trademarked name. These products included glasses, hats, t-shirts, patches, and wallets. Run-DMC complained that the products “confuse the public as to the source of the products and suggest that Run-DMC endorses the products. The defendants are trading on the goodwill” of [Run-DMC].
Run-DMC mentioned in the suit that it has made $100 million on trademarked products over the years, including a $1.6 million sneaker deal with Adidas proving that “the brand is extremely valuable”, the suit says. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
And, ladies and gentlemen, this is why you #OwnYourMark, so that others can’t illegally use and make money off of your name!
#MakeYourMark
Written by: Teresa Nguyen