Needled -- On Monday, fine art tattooist, painter and legend Don Ed Hardy filed suit against designer Christian Audigier (and his companies) for over $100 million in damages for twelves causes of action including trademark infringement, breach of contract, unfair competition and cybersquatting. Allow me an all-caps AMEN!
The minute after I read the AP article on the suit, I bought a copy of the 32-page complaint, which includes the licensing agreement, and was in awe of the allegations of Audigier’s flagrant violations of the agreement. Then again, did we really think Ed would be cool with the furs and energy drinks that bear his name?
The highlights of the complaint: Hardy says that, not only did Audigier not pay the amounts promised in the licensing agreement, but Audigier also violated sub-licensing clauses by making deals against the terms of their contract. [The sublicensing accounts for all those products, like perfume and air fresheners, that seem bizarre in association with tattoos (eau de blood and green soap?).] So Hardy terminated the contract this past August 2008, but Audigier continued to distribute the brand in violation of Hardy’s trademark.
For more on the art of Ed Hardy, check out this Needled video.
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