Source: Ron Galella, Ltd. / Getty
Run-DMC has filed a $50 million lawsuit that accuses retailing giants Wal-Mart, and Amazon of selling merchandise with the rap group’s name without their permission.
A co-founder of the group, and owner of the licensed brand Darryl “DMC” McDaniels was listed as the plaintiff in the suit that was filed in the Southern District of New York. The complaint stated that the retailers were guilty of “advertising, selling, manufacturing, promoting and distributing multiple products.” Items on sale include glasses, hats, T-shirts, patches, wallets and more.
The lawsuit alleges that the retailers are using the “extremely valuable” brand to confuse consumers into believing that their products are endorsed by the group, and are selling products based on the goodwill of the name, which is in violation of federal trademark and New York unfair competition laws.
Run-DMC and its members are seen as iconic members of the Hip-Hop community, credited for helping bring the style into the mainstream of music.
Neither Amazon, nor Wal-Mart have yet to respond to the allegations and suit.
SOURCE: NBC
Run-DMC Suing Two Major Companies for $50 Million was originally published on globalgrind.com
