Human blood, Nike and a group of artists.

Those are the three ingredients of a lawsuit brought by the sportswear firm against MSCHF, a Brooklyn arts collective that with rapper Lil Nas X decided to modify one of the multinational designs.

The controversial pair of “Satan’s slippers” – containing a drop of real human blood on the soles, plus an inverted cross, a pentagram and the words “Luke 10:18”– was made from a modified pair of Nike Air Max 97.

With a price of US $ 1,018, MSCHF put 666 pairs on sale Monday in collaboration with Lil Nas X and says they sold out in less than a minute.

The shoes went on sale Monday at a price of $ 1,018. (MSCHF).

In its legal complaint, Nike alleges trademark infringement.

MSCHF launched their red and black sneakers on Monday, coinciding with the premiere of Lil Nas X’s latest song, Montero (Call Me By Your Name), which debuted on YouTube last Friday.

In the music video, the rapper is seen sliding down a stripper pole from heaven to hell, wearing a pair of those slippers.

Both the images and the sports shoes refer to the Bible verse Luke 10:18“Then he said to them: ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’

Each pair features a unique Nike Air Bubble Cushioned outsole, containing 60 cubic centimeters (2.03 fluid ounces) of red ink and a single drop of human blood, donated by members of the artistic collective.

This is the original model of the Nike Air Max 97. (Getty Images).

This is the original model of the Nike Air Max 97. (Getty Images).

Nike alleges in the Eastern District Court of New York that did not approve or authorize customization of these “Satan slippers” and therefore asked the court to prevent MSCHF from selling the slippers and not to use its famous logo.

“MSCHF and their unauthorized Satan slippers are likely to cause confusion and dilution and create a erroneous association between MSCHF and Nike products”Says the sports shoe giant on demand.

“In fact, there is already evidence of significant confusion and dilution in the marketplace, including calls to boycott Nike in response to the MSCHF launch, which are based on the mistaken belief that Nike has licensed or approved this product.”

The lawsuit cites a tweet from popular fashion influencer @Saint from last Friday, which teased the upcoming sneaker release and attracted attention over the weekend from social media and the media in the United States.

Some conservative politicians, including South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and some religious followers were offended by the controversial design and they criticized Lil Nas X and MSCHF on Twitter.

Lil Nas X responded to the governor and other critics on Twitter, tweeting several memes on his profile Monday in response to news of the Nike lawsuit.

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