From "Caught in a Mosh" to caught in a lawsuit, Big Four thrashers Anthrax have been sued by a Detroit artist for allegedly swiping his Hanukkah sweater design for their own holiday crewneck.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Aaron Cummins has filed a $1 million dollar lawsuit against Anthrax in U.S. District Court, claiming the band lifted the design of a blue-and-white, "ugly Christmas sweater"-style garment he created in 2012. It was registered through the U.S. Copyright Office in 2013, and has been sold through his Wet House printing company.
As you can see up above, via the Instagram account of guitarist Scott Ian, Anthrax retailed their own Hanukkah sweater in 2015, which similarly placed white Star of David and dreidel shapes across the blue sweater. It also features the band's signature, pointy-font logo. The limited edition sweater, released in a run of 300, was sold through Rockabilia.com, which is also listed in the suit.
The company that manufactured the sweaters is Global Merchandising Services, also listed in the suit. It sent the wares over to Rockabilia to sell. A representative from the latter had not heard about the lawsuit until being reached by the Detroit Free Press, but noted it was Global Merchandising Services' job to make sure the design was legit.
"It's up to the merchandising companies we buy from to get the items cleared and make sure there's no (copyright) issues," Rockabilia buyer Frankie Blydenburgh said.
In addition to seeking damages, the lawsuit is looking to place an injunction on Anthrax, Rockabilia and Global Merchandising Services that would prevent them from marketing the Anthrax Hanukkah sweater, and surrender any existing merchandise, as well as plates and molds that could be used to print more sweaters.
Anthrax have not commented on the lawsuit. Their new album For All Kings is out February 26 via Megaforce/Nuclear Blast. The first single, "Evil Twin," can be found below.
The Detroit Free Press reports that Aaron Cummins has filed a $1 million dollar lawsuit against Anthrax in U.S. District Court, claiming the band lifted the design of a blue-and-white, "ugly Christmas sweater"-style garment he created in 2012. It was registered through the U.S. Copyright Office in 2013, and has been sold through his Wet House printing company.
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Posted by WET HOUSE on Tuesday, October 20, 2015
As you can see up above, via the Instagram account of guitarist Scott Ian, Anthrax retailed their own Hanukkah sweater in 2015, which similarly placed white Star of David and dreidel shapes across the blue sweater. It also features the band's signature, pointy-font logo. The limited edition sweater, released in a run of 300, was sold through Rockabilia.com, which is also listed in the suit.
The company that manufactured the sweaters is Global Merchandising Services, also listed in the suit. It sent the wares over to Rockabilia to sell. A representative from the latter had not heard about the lawsuit until being reached by the Detroit Free Press, but noted it was Global Merchandising Services' job to make sure the design was legit.
"It's up to the merchandising companies we buy from to get the items cleared and make sure there's no (copyright) issues," Rockabilia buyer Frankie Blydenburgh said.
In addition to seeking damages, the lawsuit is looking to place an injunction on Anthrax, Rockabilia and Global Merchandising Services that would prevent them from marketing the Anthrax Hanukkah sweater, and surrender any existing merchandise, as well as plates and molds that could be used to print more sweaters.
Anthrax have not commented on the lawsuit. Their new album For All Kings is out February 26 via Megaforce/Nuclear Blast. The first single, "Evil Twin," can be found below.