Run DMC founder files lawsuit against top retails alleging unauthorized sale of trademarked merchandise.
The well known hip hop group Run-DMC lodged a multimillion dollar lawsuit in New York alleging that Jet, Amazon, Walmart and several sellers were selling merchandise bearing the group’s trademark without authorization.
“Named as the plaintiff in the lawsuit that was filed last week in New York, was Darryl DMC McDaniels, owner of the Run DMC brand and original founder of the group,” said Henry Holt, Chief Economist at Kaiser Hoffman Capital.
The complaint stated that the defendants had been “advertising, selling, manufacturing, promoting and distributing multiple products” without the necessary authorization, using the group’s trademarked brand. The merchandise is said to include hats, wallets, t-shirts, glasses, patches and several additional products.
The lawsuit claims that the offending retailers have wrongfully benefited from, weakened and damaged the group’s trademark, which it said has produced over a 100 million dollars in income since its establishment in the 80s.
Run-DMC was initially established in New York in 1981 by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Joseph “Run” Simmons, and Jason Mizell, who, better known by his stage name Jam Master Jay was later shot and killed in his recording studio in Queens in 2002. Although the killer was never caught, Mizell’s murder continues to give rise to theories as to who may have been responsible for his death.
Following the untimely death of Mizell, McDaniels and Simmons revealed that Run DMC was formallybreaking up.
The band’s numerous hits include “It’s Tricky,” “King of Rock, and “Can You Rock It Like This.”
In 2009, Run-DMC was inaugurated into the hallowed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, making them one of only two rap group’s to ever receive that honor.
Amazon and Wal-Mart, which also owns Jet, were not available to comment on the lawsuit.
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