Nirvana's estate have reportedly launched legal proceedings against the designer Marc Jacobs over the use of their smiley face design.
The iconic design is an integral part of their visual identity, and it was echoed in Marc Jabob's recent Redux Grunge collection.
The new collection pays tribute to his 1993 work with Perry Ellis, and features socks, a sweatshirt, and a t-shirt that bear resemblance to Nirvana's smiley face logo.
TMZ reports that Nirvana's estate have now filed a suit against the designer:
Nirvana Sues Marc Jacobs for Stealing Smiley Face Design https://t.co/leNnmNwZ3R
— TMZ (@TMZ) December 30, 2018
The suit argues that the designer's “use of Nirvana’s copyrighted image on and to promote its products is intentional, and is part and parcel of a wider campaign to associate the entire 'Bootleg Redux Grunge' collection with Nirvana, one of the founders of the 'Grunge' musical genre, so as to make the 'Grunge' association with the collection more authentic.”
Marc Jacobs seemingly used terms like 'Come As You Are' and 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' during the promotional aspect of the Redux Grunge launch. The suit continues:
“Defendants’ misuse of Nirvana’s intellectual property to promote themselves and the 'Bootleg Redux Grunge' collection damages the goodwill associated with Nirvana and violates its rights in numerous ways.”
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