Let's face it: 2023 has been a rough go for Supreme. When Supreme was purchased by VF Corp for a staggering amount of money back in 2020, some lofty expectations came with it that the New York-based brand has yet to meet. VF Corp reported in June that the brand missed last year's sales projections by nearly 15%. Then came a very public and messy split with former Creative Director Tremaine Emory. Now, the brand finds itself locked up in a lawsuit against a most unlikely adversary.
Court documents revealed that Supreme and rap group Mobb Deep are being sued by the 1990s New York hardcore band Sick Of It All (SOIA). In the suit, SOIA claims that both Supreme and Mobb Deep stole and used their signature dragon logo for profit. The documents, filed in the U.S. District Court of Southern New York, do indeed show a dragon logo used by Supreme that resembles that used by SOIA as far back as 1986. Mobb Deep had used the logo since approximately 1997, but SOIA chose not to pursue action until the logo appeared on a Supreme t-shirt this past June. The suit has now been levied against Supreme and Mobb Deep, as SOIA owns the trademark for the logo in question and is seeking reparations.
News of this lawsuit comes on the heels of the Nike x Supreme SB Dunk Low "Rammellzee" pack release, one of the lone bright spots for Supreme this year. For updates on this case and more news from the business side of sneakers and streetwear, follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Images via @SneakerLegal