Former world champion boxer and cameo actor Mike Tyson is suing Australian retailer Culture Kings for allegedly selling t-shirts with his likeness without permission.
Tyson internationally trademarked his own name, ‘Mike Tyson’, in 2010 to prevent brands from profiting off his image.
The former pro boxer is now alleging that Culture Kings have been doing exactly that by selling t-shirts with known nicknames associated with him such as “Kid Dynamite” and “Iron Mike” on them and selling merchandise with his face on it, without licensing.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Tyson alleges that under Australian consumer law, this is considered ‘deceptive behaviour’ by Culture Kings.
SMH also confirmed that Tyson lodged his case against Culture Kings in the NSW Federal Court last Friday.
Tyson is seeking to be paid all profits made by Culture Kings from the apparel, and wants an injunction preventing the retailer from continuing to sell the merchandise.
Only in May this year did the founders of Culture Kings, Simon and Tah-nee Beard, land on The Australian Financial Review‘s annual Rich List, with an estimated net worth of $620 million.
B&T has reached out to Culture Kings for comment.
Featured image source: Flickr/Brian Wilkins
