Tattoo artist Matthew Reed is suing Detroit Piston forward Rasheed Wallace to stop displays of his work in ads for Nike basketball shoes.
Reed claims he owns the copyright for the design of the tattoo, an Egyptian-themed family design with a king and queen and three children and a stylized sun in the background. The suit asks for the Nike ad featuring Wallace, and for the tattoo, to be taken off the air and off the Internet. Reed is also seeking an undisclosed amount in damages.
Reed says he became aware last year of a Nike ad that centers on the tattoo and its creation. He claims the ad violates the copyright he holds to “the Egyptian Family Pencil Drawing.” Reed charged a mere $450 for the tattoo, hoping he would later benefit from the exposure.
According to the suit, Wallace told Nike either that he owned the intellectual property rights to the tattoo image or shared it with Reed. If a court determines that Reed and Wallace share ownership, Reed feels he is entitled to a portion of the money Wallace has been paid for the ad.
Nike issued a statement saying Reed was “fairly compensated” by Wallace seven years ago. “Rasheed is entitled to display the tattoo in any manner he wishes. We will vigorously defend our right and Rasheed’s right to use the tattoo,” the Nike statement said.