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Eddie Van Halen Sues Nike

Eddie Van Halen is suing Nike over claims that the footwear giant used the trademarked red, white and black stripe design found on his guitars since 1978 on their new line of "Dunk Lows" sneakers. Court papers filed on behalf of Van Halen's company, ELVH Inc., allege Nike infringed on his copyright without "consent, approval or license."

The federal lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles last week , contends Nike is doing "irreparable harm and damage" to his signature design. In 2001, Van Halen trademarked the striped color scheme that he has displayed on the body of his "Frankenstein" electric guitars for three decades.

Van Halen is seeking general and punitive damages, all profits arising from the sales of "Dunk Lows" and a permanent injunction halting production of the shoes. The suit is also reportedly calling for "the impoundment and destruction of all footwear."

Earlier this year, Van Halen released his own line of men's high and low top sneakers, featuring the Frankenstein design. The Nike shoes feature red, white and black streaks along the midsole.

In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson from Nike told Footwear News that the company was aware of the lawsuit but didn't believe it had merit. "Based on the information provided to us, we have not in fringed on any rights held by Mr. Van Halen," the company said. "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."

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November 03 2009 at 12:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aaron

Eddie Van Halen is the Lord of the Strings LOL. Sue sue sue til they stinkin's turn blue!

October 16 2009 at 5:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tifen

nike is kinda my favourite , realy great design , it defintly would meet some problems, just like gitar right . be easy dude nike dunks

August 10 2009 at 4:13 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
miamidepotkenny

whoever says VH is washed up is only upset they will never mean as much to anyone as VH means to Rock n roll and The people of Rock Culture

July 29 2009 at 2:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pitbullpimp

vmacmil actualy yes i have a roken ring finger but thats not the reason i type like this and actualy mike shinoda is a rapper and he plays guitar in a band also and define and instrument 4 me because a computer can b used 2 make music in different tones so yeh that could b defined as an instrument plus i play drums and guitar once u lern its ez as shit and requires basicaly no talent a fan of van halen is a fan of guitar u say bad poetry because u dont no poetry the music u lisen 2 is meaningless i write poetry rap play guitar and drums and do vocals in a band im pretty sure ik what takes talent and rap takes alot of talent what u call rap is probably the bullshit out 2day which isnt even rap its hiphop n 4 the guy who sed hes an audiologist its pretty fucking ironic that u wouldnt even no how to define the music genres

June 22 2009 at 12:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
John C.

I've been playing guitar for 21 years, and there's nothing more frustrating than writing a riff and then buying a CD and hearing a song with a riff that sounds just like one you wrote. It really does screw up your creative flow...but I don't go out and sue the band...I just change a couple notes around...and get over it...

June 19 2009 at 5:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
James

Sandy obvioulsy you don't know very much. All compnaies are built on a Network basis. Your insurance company, your phone company, and franchise restaurants. If you go to You Tube and type in Bill Clinton Network Marketing you will find that MLM is being endorsed by our former President, presidnet of US Chamber of Commerce and a ton of Attorney Generals. If you want a boss to tell you what to do then keep working a job and living check to check.

June 19 2009 at 5:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dready1rasta

Was a teen when Van Halen first came out, their music has always been too main stream bubble gum for me. As far as his licks, 12 year olds could pick them up after one listen, not very impressive. Concerning his copyright infringement claim, not very impressive either. Washed up, more like a never was except to the musically illiterate/inept.

June 19 2009 at 4:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Deborah Costa

Why don't they show a side by side picture of VH's design and Nike design because this story is useless without pictures.

June 19 2009 at 4:31 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
dimefan88

look at it this way. EVH is just gonna piss money away on the suit, whether he wins or not. if he thinks he has a clear enough case its worth it to him. i personally wouldnt count on a win on this but he does have that look trademarked and thats good enough in my book. and just to put it in short to these little fucks on here that diss EVH, your favs of today may not of EVER got big if its wasnt for this guys influence on the guitar. so wash off that fuckin eyeliner, pull your damn pants up and learn how to play a guitar right!

June 19 2009 at 4:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply