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MSCHF mocks Nike with T-shirt after 'Satan shoes' lawsuit, fans say Nike is 'making money out of controversy'

Nike has filed a restraining order against MSHCF, leading the company to launch a 'legal fees tee'

Responding to Nike's lawsuit, streetwear brand MSCHF has come up with a rather interesting strategy – to launch a T-shirt. The company has dropped a new 'Legal Fees' tee for sale on its store, featuring Nike's complaint. The act of trolling has caught the eye of the internet, who are now behind the company as they take on the sporting goods giant. 

This move is just the latest in a series of trolling incidents by both MSCHF and Lil Nas X (LNX), who teamed up to launch 'Satan shoes', which is at the heart of the controversy. Nike has filed a case against the company, asking them to halt sales. They have also filed a case of trademark infringement since the shoes are a custom pair of Nike Air Max 97s, designed without Nike's permission. 

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It's unclear as of now how much Nike is seeking from MSCHF, but it could be a pretty huge amount. Maybe the tees are a way to help fund the fight? We don't know, but here's everything we do.

Nike sues, MSCHF trolls

MSCHF partnered with LNX to release 666 pairs of the 'Satan shoes' on March 29. Within minutes of being dropped, all the pairs sold out at $1,018 a pair. The custom Nike's are meant as a promotional stunt for LNX's latest single 'Montero (Call Me By Your Name)', which has a very satanic theme that the kicks invoke. As the shoes stirred up controversy online over their devilish imagery, Nike took notice.

The company filed a temporary restraining order Tuesday, March 30, to halt sales of the shoes. MSCHF responded by saying 665 pairs had already shipped, but it would honor the order and not ship the final one. The previous day, Nike filed a trademark infringement case in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. The company said that it did not authorize or approve the shoes. The case is seen as a response to calls by many people to boycott Nike after they got offended by the shoes. 

In a statement, the company said, "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." LNX and MSCHF have repeatedly claimed that Nike was not involved in the process, but that doesn't seem to have helped matters.

Since conservatives slammed LNX for the song, he has responded with repeated trolling on social media. The singer tweeted two weeks ago, "y’all love saying we going to hell but get upset when i actually go there lmao" He also released a video titled 'Lil Nas X Apologizes for Satan Shoe' that simply cuts to a scene from the song where he is lap dancing on the devil.

Not to be outdone, MSCH has decided to troll its critics as well. Less than 24 hours after the lawsuit, the company released a 'Legal Fees' tee with Nike's complaint slapped front and center. Unfortunately, the tweet announcing the tee has since been deleted, and the tee is no longer available for sale on the company's website.

It's not clear why it was taken down, especially since the final pair of 'Satan shoes' are still up. One reason could be that the tee also ended up in Nike's complaint, which says "MSCHF's apparent goal was and is to stir up controversy to provoke Nike into filing a lawsuit."

While the company may be facing a massive suit, it has found a steady supply of supporters online. 

'This lawsuit wasn't over moral reasons' trolls the internet

While Nike may have been looking to save its name with the suit, early reactions appear to show a very different reality. Now, more people have slammed the company for the lawsuit online. One person tweeted, "I don't wanna hear any praise for the marxist enabling, sweatshop running Nike for this.. This lawsuit wasn't over any moral reasons purely $$$".

"Oh @nike, I would suggest dropping your lawsuit over the Satan Shoes... NGL, this is making YOU look like a fool. #growupnike" another person tweeted. 
 

One user said, "Nike’s lawsuit is just as much about driving prices and maintaining dominance as it is about trademark infringement. Up-cycling is the brand gift more valuable in the equation long term (they know) and should be table stakes if you really want to try and control the aftermarket." Another person commented, "Yes a fake lawsuit filed because of outrage in the internet. They did the Jesus shoes and Ddnt get sued. Nike has no case they know that. They are making money off the controversy"

Even LNX joined in on the fun, tweeting a GIF saying "me after the nike lawsuit".

The singer might not be having so much fun if the case proceeds, but he seems immune for now. Nike's lawsuit does not name LNX as a defendant for now. MSCHF argued in its opposing letter that the shoes "are works of artistic social commentary" and that buyers knew that the 'Satan shoes' were not an official collaboration. The case is expected to have a significant ruling on the fashion industry, where 'upcycling' or modification of designer products is a popular trend.