YouTube star Logan Paul is now facing a potential lawsuit over his apparel line
YouTube star Logan Paul, who faced severe backlash after posting a video in Japan’s suicide forest that showed a victim, is adding legal woes to his growing list of troubles. New York City-based clothing company Maverick Apparel is threatening to sue Paul if he doesn’t stop using the word “maverick” in his apparel line, titled Maverick by Logan Paul, within seven days.
Maverick Apparel, a clothing brand for juniors and children, claim consumers have been misled by Paul’s affiliation to Maverick Apparel. The company also claims at least $4 million in damages due to Paul’s YouTube video in Japan’s suicide forest. In the release, they wrote:
“Maverick Apparel has noticed a rapid and significant decline in its sales, reputation and goodwill of the Maverick Apparel brand as a direct result of your repulsive, abhorrent and mutton-headed conduct. In choosing to promulgate yourself and your maw-wallop across social media and champion yourself as an object of ridicule, hatred and contempt, you have simultaneously infected the good name of Maverick Apparel.”
Citing his social media presence as “a parade of intolerance,” they continued:
“Logan Paul […] has become synonymous with racist, anti-Asian, and homophobic sentiments, and most recently, a belligerent insensitivity to suicide.”
Maverick Apparel is referencing past behavior, as Paul has been accused of racism against Asians before — much to the shock of, well, absolutely no one. Maverick Apparel’s release claims Paul has hijacked the maverick name, calling Paul a “vlogger catering to his evident lowest common denominator narcissism.”
Hey world. If you didn’t know, @LoganPaul has always been disrespectful and racist towards Asians.
This is nothing new. Sadly. pic.twitter.com/Gq1OIbUuoX— Jommy (@jfwong) January 2, 2018
Logan Paul being racist and stupid pic.twitter.com/D40tb3DQXO
— gustavo (@gustavonever) September 2, 2017
According to Robert Garson, attorney at Garson, Segal, Steinmetz, Fladgate LLP, who represents Maverick Apparel, the $4 million in damages has been a long time coming. In an email statement to HelloGiggles, Garson wrote:
“The damages are over time since Paul has used the brand. The video was simply the tipping point. If Mr. Paul continues to use the name [then Maverick Apparel] will commence a lawsuit.”
Following backlash against the video, Paul issued an apology on social media and his YouTube account that garnered its own wave of criticism for its lack of accountability. The controversy has also sparked discussions around YouTube star culture. Paul has since announced a break from YouTube. Perhaps this will be the learning experience he so desperately needs.
