Home : Celebrity Justice : So Shoe Me -- Van Halen Takes Nike to Court

Celebrity Justice
So Shoe Me -- Van Halen Takes Nike to Court

Posted Jun 16th 2009 12:30PM by TMZ Staff

Eddie Van Halen claims Nike is guilty of walking all over him -- by saying the shoe giant jacked his trademarked black, white and red design for a new line of sneakers.

Van Halen

ELVH Inc. -- Eddie's company -- filed a federal lawsuit against Nike last week, laced with allegations of copyright infringement. The suit claims a series of designs Eddie trademarked -- designs which have prominently been displayed on his guitars since 1978 -- were lifted by Nike without his consent.

The suit is not only seeking monetary retribution -- it also calls for "the impoundment and destruction of all footwear."

Tags: converse, converse3, eddie van halen, EddieVanHalen, lawsuit, nike

Comments [100]
SHARE |
4ie6

Relevant Posts

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 7) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. It's TRADEMARK infringement not copyright. Also, whoever said the design isn't original- if the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) deemed it original and thus issued a trademark registration (as the story indicates), then in the eyes of the courts it IS an original, protected design.

Posted at 1:44PM on Jun 16th 2009 by m

17. Yes he has a trademark but it an`t a shoe and I`d never sell that crap here.

Posted at 1:47PM on Jun 16th 2009 by Shoe sellsman in show bizness

18. "impoundment and destruction of all footwear? are you serious? how many poor people in the US and the world could use a brand new pair of sneakers! get a life, Eddie!

Posted at 1:47PM on Jun 16th 2009 by Lucy

19. All right.... I think VanHalen is just overreacting a bit. But it is illegal and they shouldn't have made the design so similar but I doubt they even knew it would cause this sort of situation. I bet they didn't think twice over the design being so similar to his guitar but why does he want to destroy ALL footware. I mean I don't think he's going to win his day in court.

Posted at 1:50PM on Jun 16th 2009 by Mushu2005

20. I agree with Lucy. If this silly lawsuit does win Eddie any cash, the last thing he should do is destroy those shoes. He should send them overseas to people who need them.

I once helped a charity clean up after a sale and was about to throw away 1 shoe that was with out it's match. I said without thinking, "who only needs one shoe?", I was told "some kids only have one foot". It makes you remember money should not be #1.

Posted at 1:57PM on Jun 16th 2009 by rhode

21. If you don't like Eddie Van Halen you are a tool. He is the greatest guitar player alive. You zit faced punks think Lady Ga Ga is music. Get back in mommas basement....the sun is still shining, you trolls,

Posted at 2:00PM on Jun 16th 2009 by Reg

22. needs money to fix those theeth

Posted at 2:10PM on Jun 16th 2009 by TGIF

23. STRUM STRUM WAMMIE WAMMIE white boy sound DOA in 1979.He`s best at DRINK N and DOPE and being a A HO has done nothing in about 20 years

Posted at 2:06PM on Jun 16th 2009 by Eddie could`ny play his way out a van if it was hail N

24. Gimme a break Eddie! Don't you hate it when icons lose thier cool and become petty. The lines are totally different in style - Eddie's have a shredded look & the shoes do not.

Posted at 2:18PM on Jun 16th 2009 by IMO

25. I have rights to,Iam not a ge`tar and hair bands had many many GE`tars just the same back in the 1970`s,Eddie is say N I`am DOA done over I need to sue now.Thats not a design it`s a time coloring and it`s a mess just like him.Look at any old hair band pixs and you`ll see many designs just the same.He is grasping at thin air.He is be honnered anyway if any one would copy anything he ever did.

Posted at 2:16PM on Jun 16th 2009 by THe`SHOEs the band the trademark

26. He wants them all destroyed? Seriously? How earth friendly of him! Idiot!!!! I don't think those shoes look like the design he trademarked. So, nobody can use any type of black & white designs now? Give me a break.

Posted at 2:24PM on Jun 16th 2009 by Cloe

27. I think someone is jealous of somebody elses successful tequilla and restaurant business.

Posted at 3:05PM on Jun 16th 2009 by John

28. Eddie are you kidding? Me...

Posted at 2:32PM on Jun 16th 2009 by Tyrone Jefferson

29. He's probably right--but that doesn't excuse him from being a douchebag alcoholic. He'll end up dead with puke dripping from his mouth and no real friends.

Posted at 2:35PM on Jun 16th 2009 by Ned

30. I crapped that same design the other day.. it's a good thing I flushed and didn't post it on youtube.

Posted at 2:38PM on Jun 16th 2009 by o z z i e

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments