A federal judge has granted Nike's request to block sales of Lil Nas X's "Satan Shoes."
U.S. District Judge Eric Komitee in Brooklyn, N.Y., ordered on Thursday that MSCHF Product Studio, which collaborated with the rapper to release the controversial sneakers, stop further sales of the product, CNBC reported.
The ruling comes three days after Nike filed a trademark infringement lawsuit arguing that the shoes, which carry the brand's "swoosh" logo, could hurt its business reputation.
Lil Nas X caused a stir earlier this week after revealing the shoe, which features a pentagram as well as an inverted cross and a drop of human blood that has been infused with red ink and inserted in the air bubble sole. Only 666 pairs were created, each selling for $1,018, which is a reference to Luke 10:18, a biblical passage that references Satan's fall from heaven. Lil Nas X, who is not a defendant in the case, was planning to select who gets the last pair of shoes, but this plan has been halted in wake of Nike's lawsuit.
"sorry guys i’m legally not allowed to give the 666th pair away anymore because of the crying nerds on the internet," Lil Nas X announced Thursday on Twitter.
"i haven’t been upset until today, i feel like it’s f***ed up they have so much power they can get shoes cancelled," he added in a follow-up tweet. "freedom of expression gone out the window. but that’s gonna change soon."
Commenting on the temporary restraining order, MSCHF's lawyers argued that it was unnecessary as 665 pairs of the sneakers had already been sold. They further claimed that shoe buyers would not think Nike was involved.
"We were honestly surprised by the action Nike has taken, and immediately after Nike’s counsel sent us notice we reached out but received no response," MSCHF said in a statement. "MSCHF strongly believes in the freedom of expression, and nothing is more important than our ability, and the ability of another artists like us, to continue with our work over the coming years. We look forward to working with Nike and the court to resolve this case in the most expeditious manner."
Nike's suit alleges that MSCHF’s "Satan Shoes" created a “likelihood of consumer confusion, mistake, and deception as to the source of origin or relationship of Nike's products and has otherwise competed unfairly by unlawfully trading on and using Nike’s trademarks without permission," according to Newsweek.
The company further argued that "there is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution occurring in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the launch of MSCHF’s Satan Shoes based on the mistaken belief that Nike has authorized or approved this product," according to NBC News.