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Hells Angels Sue Fashion Companies Over "Death Head"

102710hellsangels.jpg The Hells Angels have waged many a war, with Pagans, Rolling Stones fans, and anti-beard activists alike. But now, they're fighting a greater enemy than any of those: the fashion industry.

The biker gang is suing the Alexander McQueen label, along with Saks Fifth Avenue and Zappos.com, for selling handbags, jewelry and clothing that it says uses its skull-and-wings "Death Head" design. The McQueen label even had the audacity to use their name to sell products such as the "Hells Angels Jacquard Box Dress" and the "Hells Four-finger Ring," which retail for $1,565 and $495. "This isn't just about money, it's about membership. If you've got one of these rings on, a member might get really upset that you're an imposter," said Hells Angels lawyer Fritz Clapp (who the Post notes "sports a red mohawk").

Because if there's one thing besides Harley-Davidsons that the Hells Angels appreciate and value, it's brand recognition. In the suit, they say that the Hells Angels name and Death Head symbol "evoke strong and immediate reactions whenever used...and as a result they have great commercial value." But seeing as this is the Hells Angels, they not only seek monetary compensation, but also the "supervised destruction" of the offending merchandise. As their primary motto goes: "When we do right, nobody remembers. When our brand gets co-opted by corporations looking to play off of our rich, violent history without any of the danger inherent in the actual lifestyle of being a tattooed, bearded member of a motorcycle gang who regularly participates in illegal activities, nobody forgets."

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Comments [rss]

  • Guest

    LOL if a USA hells angel sees ya wearing the merchandise he may get upset LOL and what CRY and call the Lawyer LOL please stop your killing  me Mr Fritz LOL with the red Mohawk LOL.

  • Guest

    The Hells angels in the USA are such pink punk pussies. I figured the only place they could fight was on the catwalk.
    LOL and the hoes did not let me down. Go em angels LOL

    I would like this GANG OF CHICKEN HEADED Fowl filthy freaks and frauds TO SHOW US ALL THE PROPERTY RIGHTS.

    ...How can the freaks own the words hells angels ? and every winged head ? I sometimes think these frivolous law suits are just away for these pussies to get news time.The USA hells angels have been made famous in the USA through the support of their child porn convict leader and decades of horrible crimes against the American women and children in our Homeland.

  • Neverhaditsogood

    I would like Clapp to explain to a bar association why an officer of the court is allowed to make veiled threats.

  • TheMan

    In trademark law it is standard practice to have the offending merchandise destroyed or turned over to the plaintiff.

  • verbal

    Good for them I hope they win compensatory damages too.

  • Cannibal

    Thats hilarious.

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