Justin Bieber recently announced his new album Justice with a terrible album cover that also seemed to ripoff the iconic cross logo from Ed Banger duo Justice. After expressing their concerns, the French dance duo have now hit Bieber with an official cease and desist.
Last week, Justice sent a letter to Bieber's lawyer and management claiming that the use of "Justice" in tandem with a cross logo (which they refer to as a "Mark") was trademarked in France and the European Union.
"Your use of the Mark is illegal. You have not received permission from Justice to utilize the Mark," the letter, which was obtained by Rolling Stone, reads. "Moreover, Bieber's work is in no way affiliated with, supported by, or sponsored by Justice. Such use of the Mark is not only illegal, but likely to deceive and confuse consumers."
The letter also includes a copy of an April 2020 email where Bieber's team allegedly tried to "track down the designer" who first created Justice's cross logo.
"The morning Bieber announced his album, it was pretty tough to miss," Justice's co-manager Tyler Goldberg told Rolling Stone. "Aside from seeing it all over the internet ourselves, we heard from hundreds of people throughout the day — industry people, Justice fans — and the Justice guys received a ton of messages, not only compelled to point out the similarities between the Justice Justin Bieber album, but confused. 'Is this a Justice collaboration?'"
Bieber's team did not respond to Rolling Stone's request for comment. However, Justice's management told the publication that Bieber's legal team opted to "reject" the cease-and-desist letter, claiming that it was not an infringement.
Justice's team does not appear interested in backing down, however.
"Global patent and trademark offices do not police the use of trademarks by third parties," Goldberg added. "As a result, trademarks need to be defended at all times by the trademark holder.
"The onus is on the trademark owner to protect against an unlawful use by third parties, regardless of the third party being a billionaire manager or a music superstar. We'll continue to protect the Justice logo — the trademark that was established 15 years ago — at all costs."
Bieber's Justice is out Friday (March 19) via RBMG/Def Jam Recordings.
Last week, Justice sent a letter to Bieber's lawyer and management claiming that the use of "Justice" in tandem with a cross logo (which they refer to as a "Mark") was trademarked in France and the European Union.
"Your use of the Mark is illegal. You have not received permission from Justice to utilize the Mark," the letter, which was obtained by Rolling Stone, reads. "Moreover, Bieber's work is in no way affiliated with, supported by, or sponsored by Justice. Such use of the Mark is not only illegal, but likely to deceive and confuse consumers."
The letter also includes a copy of an April 2020 email where Bieber's team allegedly tried to "track down the designer" who first created Justice's cross logo.
"The morning Bieber announced his album, it was pretty tough to miss," Justice's co-manager Tyler Goldberg told Rolling Stone. "Aside from seeing it all over the internet ourselves, we heard from hundreds of people throughout the day — industry people, Justice fans — and the Justice guys received a ton of messages, not only compelled to point out the similarities between the Justice Justin Bieber album, but confused. 'Is this a Justice collaboration?'"
Bieber's team did not respond to Rolling Stone's request for comment. However, Justice's management told the publication that Bieber's legal team opted to "reject" the cease-and-desist letter, claiming that it was not an infringement.
Justice's team does not appear interested in backing down, however.
"Global patent and trademark offices do not police the use of trademarks by third parties," Goldberg added. "As a result, trademarks need to be defended at all times by the trademark holder.
"The onus is on the trademark owner to protect against an unlawful use by third parties, regardless of the third party being a billionaire manager or a music superstar. We'll continue to protect the Justice logo — the trademark that was established 15 years ago — at all costs."
Bieber's Justice is out Friday (March 19) via RBMG/Def Jam Recordings.
