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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

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(Page 5 of 7) Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. you call that "intellectual property?" Come on. It look s like a high school painting I did. Eddie's got no claim to a bunch of white and black stripes on a red background. Give me a break. Invent something real, absolutely unique and meaningful and maybe you've got a shot. This is just grasping from an old, washed out yesterday.

Posted at 10:50PM on Jun 16th 2009 by c

62. destroy all the footwear?! over a silly pattern?!!! like anybody will want those shoes because the pattern resembles his stupid guitar? what a loser....

Posted at 10:09AM on Jun 17th 2009 by Elurofila

63. EVH is completely right. That's been his Sh*t since forever. It steps on his toes (no pun) in style and
in the fact that part of his business is shoes now. I hope he get's every last pair of those horrible steps back!
He's an old man! Just let the old man have his stripes!

Posted at 10:14PM on Jun 16th 2009 by BT in SM

64. THIS IS THE LAMEST LAWSUIT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF
WHO IS CRAZY, STUPID, AND BORED ENOUGH TO SUE SOMEONE OVER DUMB COLORS?

Posted at 12:06AM on Jun 17th 2009 by Heather

65. How more moronic can you get? There is no connection, sell the shoes, tell Van Halen to go F himself on this one, the shoes don't look like the guitars and have nothing to do with the guitars. Those who buy the shoes will have NO CLUE who Van Halen is or was.

Posted at 12:59AM on Jun 17th 2009 by PolarBear

66. Thanks for the laughs everyone, I need that.

Posted at 1:13AM on Jun 17th 2009 by Lois

67. Duh, I meant "needed". Must be time for bed.

Posted at 1:14AM on Jun 17th 2009 by Lois

68. I think Eddie definitely has a case, but I agree with the guy (#58) who said to give the shoes to needy kids or something - maybe auction them off as EVH nikes on eBay with all the proceeds going to the girls and boys clubs of America. Eddie's shoes are very cool and well priced I might add, but couldn't Converse sue him for similar designs? But I'm sure EVH has a deal or agreement with Converse.

Posted at 1:25AM on Jun 17th 2009 by David

69. Eddie Van Halen is rught, the disign on the shoes are the same. Nikki Sixx did the same thing to vans, it's not their fault that stupid shoe companies ran out of ideas and look at rock icons to get inspiration. At least Converse is nice enough to ask the bands if they can put their name on them.

Posted at 2:14AM on Jun 17th 2009 by Grecia

70. Please Eddie.....Shut up and write some damn music! CHICKENFOOT ROCKS!

Posted at 2:35AM on Jun 17th 2009 by Hagar Fan

71. What a loser. There's no lawsuit here, Maybe if Nike called them 'Van Halens' and the design was exactly the same, but they didn't and it isn't.

Posted at 2:58AM on Jun 17th 2009 by snickers

72. Apparently Hollywood has jumped on the bandwagon and become sue happy. Take a look at the "Relevant Posts" right above these comments:
Britney Spears Sued (5/29/2009) (167 comments)
Bret Michaels Is Bloody Mad -- I'm No Liza Minnelli (6/11/2009) (132 comments)
Woman Suing Miley Has Eyes for Justin (6/16/2009) (84 comments)
Sacha Baron Cohen Sued Over Bingo Melee (6/03/2009) (106 comments)
Meet the Woman Who's Suing Bruno (6/04/2009) (85 comments)


The only person not suing anyone is Brett Michaels: yet!

Posted at 4:00AM on Jun 17th 2009 by Too EZ

73. Next Eddie will file suit against the kiddies down at the pre-school...they love their red and black crayon portraits.

Posted at 7:43AM on Jun 17th 2009 by I am

74. If you can get them get them get them fast they will be worth a fortune!

Posted at 7:47AM on Jun 17th 2009 by Shadowwolf

75. YEP, that's Eddie's design alright..............GET EM EDDIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 8:38AM on Jun 17th 2009 by QTPIE

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