Vans is suing over Tyga’s ‘Wavy’ kicks
The rapper Tyga’s new signature shoes are an unlawful knockoff of Vans’ classic kicks, the Southern California sneaker brand charges in a new lawsuit.
Vans sued the company MSCHF in Brooklyn Federal Court Thursday, alleging Tyga’s “Wavy Baby” shoes rip off the popular Old Skool shoes. Vans says its trademark is being violated and asks a judge to block Tyga’s shoes from going on sale in four days.
“The Wavy Baby shoe blatantly and unmistakably incorporates Vans’ iconic trademarks and trade dress,” lawyers for Vans wrote.
The “Wavy Baby” shoes are set to hit the market on April 18, despite sent two cease and desist letters from Vans, according to the lawsuit.
“MSCHF defiantly pressed forward, continuing to aggressively market the Wavy Baby shoe and maintaining the quickly-approaching release date of April 18, 2022,” the Vans lawyers wrote.
Vans noted that the release of the “Wavy Baby” shoe was “sudden,” saying that Tyga, whose real name is Michael Stevenson, posted a photo of himself with the shoe on April 4 for the first time.
The post was liked by more than 1 million people.
Tyga has also posted a photo of himself in pink “Wavy Baby” shoes leaning on a massive balloon of the kicks.
The Tyga shoe is not the first time MSCHF has courted trouble. The company was also sued over a popular signature shoe it made with musician Lil Nas X.
A Brooklyn judge ordered a temporary restraining order against MSCHF over Lil Nas X’s “Satan Shoes,” which allegedly ripped off Nike Air Max ’97s.
“Rather than innovating and developing their own unique shoes, Defendant MSCHF is known for free-riding on famous brands, such as Nike,” the Vans lawsuit says.
A lawyer for MSCHF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.