Meta Description: Nirvana and Marc Jacobs settle a six-year copyright lawsuit over the iconic smiley face logo. Learn about the case details and final settlement.
Nirvana Settles Copyright Lawsuit with Marc Jacobs Over Smiley Face Logo
Nirvana Smiley Face Logo Lawsuit Settlement
Legendary rock band Nirvana has settled a long-standing copyright lawsuit against fashion house Marc Jacobs regarding the use of their iconic smiley face logo. The lawsuit, which began in 2018, accused Marc Jacobs of copying Nirvana’s trademark design for their ‘Bootleg Redux Grunge’ collection. The disputed t-shirt featured subtle differences, such as ‘M’ and ‘J’ for eyes instead of ‘X’ and the word ‘Heaven’ in a similar font to Nirvana’s logo.
The Legal Battle
In their initial lawsuit, Nirvana described Marc Jacobs’ design as “oppressive, fraudulent, and malicious,” claiming it caused “irreparable injuries” and threatened to dilute the value of Nirvana’s licensed clothing products. While Marc Jacobs acknowledged the similarities, they argued it was fair use, citing the unknown creator of the Nirvana logo as part of their defense. They stated in 2019, “The apparent absence of any living person with first-hand knowledge of the creation of the allegedly copyrighted work in question… are the basis for the counterclaim asserted.”
Robert Fisher’s Involvement
The case took a turn when Robert Fisher, a former art director at Geffen Records, claimed he designed the smiley face logo, not the late Kurt Cobain as many believed. Fisher, responsible for the iconic Nevermind album cover, filed a legal motion in 2020, asserting his authorship of the logo. He expressed his desire for recognition in an interview with the Los Angeles Times: “Since I drew it, I want to be known as the guy that drew it. It’s as simple as that. I don’t think it’s fair that they try and take out a copyright and say Kurt did it.”
Final Settlement
After six years, a settlement was reached on July 9th, 2024, between Nirvana, Marc Jacobs, and Robert Fisher. The specifics of the settlement remain undisclosed, but all parties agreed to a ‘Mediators Proposal’ presented by Magistrate Steve Kim. The official settlement agreement is currently being drafted and is expected to be finalized by the end of July.
Conclusion
This resolution marks the end of a complex copyright dispute involving one of rock music’s most iconic logos. The settlement between Nirvana, Marc Jacobs, and Robert Fisher underscores the importance of clear authorship and fair use in creative works.
