Run-DMC Sue Amazon, Walmart For $50 Million Over Trademark
Run-DMC has filed a $50 million lawsuit in New York accusing Wal-Mart, Amazon, Jet and other retailers of selling products that traded on the group’s name without permission.
The Kings of Rock claim that the defendants are utilizing its name in the “production, advertising, promotion, marketing, sale and distribution of various products, including glasses, t-shirts and patches.”
The suit states the retailers have improperly profited, diluted and harmed the group’s brand, which it says has generated more than $100 million in revenue since its inception in the 1980s.
The suit was filed in the Southern District of New York on Thursday.
The lawsuit reads,
“The Defendants are advertising, selling, manufacturing, promoting and distributing multiple products claiming to be RUN-DMC styled products. Other products directly infringe and utilize the RUN-DMC trademark….
The products sold by the Defendants confuse the public as to the source of the products and suggests that RUN-DMC endorses the products. The Defendants are trading on the goodwill of Plaintiff.”
Darryl “DMC” McDaniels is the owner of the group’s brand and initiated the lawsuit. He proclaims that the brand is “extremely valuable” and cites licensing agreements that exemplify its value, such as its deal with Adidas.
Follow us on Twitter: @IceBlueVA @gripmagonline
![Mad Skillz Goes In On 2016 With The Year End “Rap Up” [Listen]](https://i0.wp.com/www.gripmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/skillz-cut.jpg?fit=72%2C75)