Lady Gaga Sued for Alleged Logo Theft by Surfboard Company
Design Controversy
Lady Gaga is no stranger to design controversies. After all, she once wore a meat dress. But the latest one is a little surprising. She’s being sued by a surfboard company that claims she stole its logo design.
The Allegation
Lost International makes surfboards and apparel emblazoned with a logo that reads ‘Mayhem’ in type that could have come straight from our guide to the best Halloween fonts. It thinks Mother Monster’s logo on merchandise for her new album and upcoming Mayhem is too similar.
The Evidence
A screenshot from a lawsuit brought by Lost International against Lady Gaga showing two hoodies emblazoned with the word Mayhem
The Lawsuit
Lost International claims that the logo on Lady Gaga’s Mayhem merchandise is “substantially similar if not nearly identical to” its own trademark, which it says it’s held since 2015. It wants $100 million in damages and claims that communications sent to Gaga’s team went unanswered.
A Black Metal Connection
As we see in the image from the lawsuit above, both brands are using the world ‘Mayhem’ in stylized type and putting it on hoodies. Nearly identical? Hmm… Come on guys, surely you’re both just riffing on the OG from a certain Norwegian black metal band that would very much have approved of that meat dress. Now this is how you make a hoodie with an illegible logo:
A hoodie featuring the logo of the black metal band Mayhem
The Response
Lady Gaga’s lawyer, Orin Snyder, said in a statement: “Lady Gaga’s Mayhem soared to No. 1 and shattered records, a testament to her unmatched talent and global impact. It’s disappointing – but hardly surprising – that someone is now attempting to capitalize on her success with a baseless lawsuit over the name ‘Mayhem’. This is nothing more than an opportunistic and meritless abuse of the legal system.”
Conclusion
This lawsuit is a classic case of design theft, and it’s up to the court to decide whether Lady Gaga’s team has indeed stolen the logo design. Will they be able to prove that the logo is indeed an original creation, or will they have to pay the price for allegedly copying the design? Only time will tell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the alleged logo design that Lady Gaga is being sued for?
A: The logo design in question is a stylized typeface that reads "Mayhem".
Q: Who is the surfboard company that is suing Lady Gaga?
A: The surfboard company is called Lost International.
Q: How much is Lost International seeking in damages?
A: Lost International is seeking $100 million in damages.
Q: Has Lady Gaga’s team responded to the allegations?
A: Yes, Lady Gaga’s lawyer, Orin Snyder, has released a statement denying the allegations and calling the lawsuit "baseless" and "meritless".
