Hell's Angel's Sue McQueen over trademark

[Echoes]

The Hells Angels motorcycle gang sues Alexander McQueen for using death's head insignia

By Lindsay Goldwert
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Thursday, October 28th 2010, 12:35 PM

The Hells Angels want their death's head back.

The infamous motorcycle gang is accusing designers at Alexander McQueen of illegally using the Angels' trademark symbol, the Financial Times reports.

The Hells Angels Corporation alleges that the "Hell's Knuckle Duster ring" and other apparel and accessories utilize the gang's icon without permission.

PPR, the luxury parent company of Alexander McQueen, is named in the suit filed in California Federal court, as are Saks Fifth Avenue and Zappos for selling the goods.

It's not just for economic reasons. The bikers are concerned for the safety of the wearers of the death's head since "anyone wearing them would be considered an imposter by club members," says the gang's longtime attorney Fritz Clapp.

The Angels have successfully sued before.

In 2006, the Hells Angels filed a lawsuit against Disney for using the Hells Angels name and membership images in its script for the film "Wild Hogs."

The gang withdrew the complaint after receiving assurances that its marks would not appear in the film, according Clapp, reports FT.

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyl...exander_mcqueen_for_using_deaths_head_in.html

 

[Empress Merel]

A bit late aren't they? The skulls at McQueen is not something of 2010.

 

[lunabella]

^ i don't think that motorcycle gangs are generally aware of what's new in fashion each season.

 

[kokobombon]

"It's not just for economic reasons. The bikers are concerned for the safety of the wearers of the death's head since "anyone wearing them would be considered an imposter by club members," says the gang's longtime attorney Fritz Clapp."

yeah, sure... so if they see a woman wearing some McQueen accessory on the street they might just harm her cause she´s an "imposter"...
too much Sons of Anarchy LOL

 

[Chanelcouture09]

Here are two items in question and fairly they have sued over the trademark, particularly with the 4 fingered ring, it is identical to their logo and it is sold as 'Hells Wing Knuckle Ring' & the Dress is also sold as 'Hells Angel Body Con Dress'
Although i wouldn't mind owning the Knuckle Ring .

*Shop.harveynichols.com

 

[rayoflight]

Hmm, the ring does look awfully similar to Hell's Angels logo to me. No way they are identical, just kinda similar and McQueen has used sculls and and other parts of skeletons in his designs for years, from key chains and scull scarfs and so on, it's not like it's just this ring or dress that use this motif.
And I find it kinda lame that a crime syndicate sues a fashion house. Only in US.

hellsangels-blackforest.com

 

[TianSoFine]

Do they know that McQueen's dead?

 

[Emma Naomi]

That's silly, there's enough changed so its not copyright infringement, and as for borrowing the idea, well 90% of high street clothes are shameless copies of catwalk looks.... they can't win.

 

[Echoes]

Oh, they'll win. No doubt about it.

The namesake's status, live or dead doesn't matter. The business is in violation.

 

[Lapin de Lune]

regardless the popularity of fashion related mass pilfering, copyright infringement is serious business, especially when the big names pick on small fry designers who haven't a hope in hell of reaping justice. Ive been amazed by how many tshirts at topshop blatantly exhibit the (very slightly altered) artwork of random indie illustrators. some of them friends of mine, and there's nothing they can do.
seems sad that people regard this as somewhat normal and ok.

 

[Les_Sucettes]

Did they trademark a criminal gang symbol? How very rock n' roll.

 

[CrisGalaxy]

Do they know that McQueen's dead?

His company isnt dead

 

[silk skin paws]

Yeah there's similarities between the ring and logo.

 

[The_Ida]

They are organized criminals and they should just STFU. Drug dealing, killing people is all they do in DK...nice one. If I were them I'd try not to draw too much attention.

 

[blueorchid]

The bikers are concerned for the safety of the wearers of the death's head since "anyone wearing them would be considered an imposter by club members," says the gang's longtime attorney Fritz Clapp.

This part kind of makes me nervous. Like, really?

 

[TianSoFine]

His company isnt dead

That's not what I asked.

 

[Lapin de Lune]

I never really knew what the Angels were, exactly, prior to this thread. I thought they were a sort of urban myth. I'm stunned!

 

[Echoes]

They're far from an urban myth. Established in 1948, they claim chapters in 29 countries worldwide. They've done some very bad things, but have been associated with the Rolling Stones and the Beatles in one way or another.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hells_Angels

 

[Squizree]

It's funny because the first official non-US Hell's Angels chapter was right here in New Zealand

If I was PPR I would be scared. Very scared.