Run-D.M.C, after reuniting temporarily at Fun Fun Fun Fest in 2012, has sued Walmart, Amazon, Jet.com and others for trademark infringement. According to Pitchfork, in addition to Walmart, Amazon and Jet.com, Run-D.M.C has also created a lawsuit against Vision World, Inc., Infinity Fashion, Inc., SW Global Corp., and 20 anonymous companies, who are partners with the three major retailers.
The band, specifically Darryl McDaniels, filed for a lawsuit on Thursday in the Southern District of New York. With this he has claimed that these retailers are attempting to confuse the public by “advertising, selling, manufacturing, promoting and distributing multiple products claiming to be Run-D.M.C. styled products” These products include include glasses, hats, t-shirts, patches, and wallets.
CBS News had reported that this lawsuit also claimed that retailers have harmed the brand that has created more than $100 million in revenue since its beginning. In response to this, the brand is asking for $50 million with interest and “any other relief this Court deems just and equitable.” According to Billboard, these other reliefs will include attorney’s fees, accounting of all sales of the defendants’ products that were advertised as being related to Run-D.M.C. or directly use its trademark and an injunction and restraining order against sales and promotion of these products.
Currently there has been no comment made from these three major retailers about the situation.