Hardcore punk band Sick Of It All have sued Mobb Deep over the latter's use of a dragon image that is very similar to the former's logo.
The band's lawsuit, filed with the courts in New York, targets Mobb Deep member Havoc and the estate of his former collaborator Prodigy, accusing the hip hop duo of trademark infringement and unfair competition.
Mobb Deep have actually used the image that is very like Sick Of It All's logo on and off since the 1990s. However, the new lawsuit has seemingly been motivated by a recent alliance between the hip hop outfit and clothing company Supreme, which is also named as a defendant in the litigation.
The lawsuit states: "In June 2023, Supreme, a clothing and skateboarding lifestyle brand, as part of a collaboration with Mobb Deep, began using [the infringing image] on clothing goods, including t-shirts and hats".
"The similarities between the two marks", it adds, "particularly when used on clothing, have confused and are confusing the media and consumers, and are causing damage to plaintiff’s senior mark and brand".
It's not the first time Sick Of It All have hit out at Mobb Deep's dragon image. The lawsuit explains: "Twice, most recently in 2003, [Sick Of It All] previously demanded that Mobb Deep cease use of its infringing logo, and Mobb Deep and its affiliates complied".
But, it seems, when a similar cease and desist demand was sent after the Supreme partnership was announced, this time the defendants did not comply. Hence the lawsuit. We now await a response from Mobb Deep and Supreme.