Dive Brief:
- Temu is facing a lawsuit from Gas Drawls LLC, the company co-founded by the late rapper MF Doom, over trademark infringement, unfair competition and misappropriation of likeness, according to court documents Monday.
- The fast fashion company is accused of ripping off trademarks for MF Doom, including the words “DOOM” and “MF DOOM,” and the image of the mask worn by MF Doom.
- Gas Drawls LLC, co-founded by Jasmine Dumile Thompson, MF Doom’s wife and business partner, is the online marketplace operated by MF Doom’s management and estate. The company also owns the MF Doom music library and intellectual property, as well as Metalface Records, the label he founded in 2000.
Dive Insight:
Temu has faced a variety of legal challenges from competitor brands, including Brandy Melville and Shein, but the new case is unique in its claim of misappropriating a musician’s likeness.
MF Doom, whose real name was Daniel Dumile, died in 2020 and was influential in the underground hip hop scene. Gas Drawls sells vinyl records, collectibles, shirts, sweatshirts and hats.
The complaint, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, claims Temu used the name, likeness and signature of MF Doom on products and advertising without prior consent.
The complaint includes 11 pages of screenshots of Temu’s website containing allegedly violating items, such as shirts, posters and hats. Gas Drawls is represented by Jeff Gluck of Gluck Law Firm.
“This is one of the most special and beloved artists in history,” Gluck said in an email to Fashion Dive. “His family and his fans around the world are watching, and they will not rest until his legacy is preserved and protected.”
A Temu spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to Fashion Dive’s request for comment.
Attorneys for Gas Drawls claim that a false association between Gas Drawls and Temu would tarnish and devalue the late rapper’s trademarks, “because not only is Temu subject to allegations of egregious and horrific business practices, but it regularly stocks, markets, and sells products that shock the conscious… [by] selling product endorsing homophobia, inciting violence and violent criminal gang activity.”
In the complaint, Gas Drawls seeks a jury trial as well as monetary damages.
